# Accident 20260412003919A: Republic RC-3, Phoenix, AZ, April 12, 2026

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 12, 2026, 14:23 local time
- Place: Phoenix, AZ
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 33.5144° N, 112.0650° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5144&lon=-112.0650&mi=10
- Aircraft: N6518K, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6518K) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Republic RC-3 (registry code 3080202, https://openairdocs.org/model/republic-rc-3) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Franklin 6A8 series (registry code 27030, https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a8-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: REPUBLIC RC-3
- Reported engine: LYCOMING IGO-480-G1D6
- People aboard: 3
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport, commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 18,000 total, 85 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR26LA153](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA153) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260412003919A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED AZ90 AND PROCEEDED EAST TOWARD CAMELBACK MOUNTAIN. DURING FLIGHT, THE PILOT HEARD A METALLIC “TING” SOUND AND OBSERVED THE ENGINE RPM INDICATING MAXIMUM RPM. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REGAIN PROPELLER CONTROL, A REAR-SEAT PASSENGER REPORTED SMOKE COMING FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE PILOT CONFIRMED THE PRESENCE OF SMOKE AND OBSERVED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

THE PILOT INITIALLY TURNED TOWARD PHOENIX SKY HARBOR AIRPORT; HOWEVER, IT BECAME APPARENT THAT REGAINING ENGINE POWER WAS NOT POSSIBLE. AS THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED LOSING ALTITUDE, THE PILOT ADVISED THE PASSENGERS OF THE IMPENDING OFF-AIRPORT LANDING AND BEGAN SELECTING A SUITABLE LANDING SITE.

THE PILOT IDENTIFIED ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ AS THE MOST SUITABLE LANDING AREA AND COMMITTED TO LANDING THERE. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AIRCRAFT FLIGHT MANUAL PROCEDURES FOR OFF-AIRPORT LANDINGS, THE AIRCRAFT WAS CONFIGURED WITH THE LANDING GEAR RETRACTED. DURING FINAL APPROACH, THE PILOT MANEUVERED TO AVOID POWER LINES AND ROADWAY FIXTURES WHILE MAINTAINING AIRCRAFT CONTROL AND APPROACH SPEED.

THE AIRCRAFT LANDED ON ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ AND CAME TO REST ALONG THE EAST CURB. DURING THE LANDING ROLLOUT, THE LEFT WINGTIP AND LEFT FLOAT CONTACTED A WATER VALVE AND THE LEADING EDGE OF THE LEFT WING CONTACTED VEGETATION ADJACENT TO THE ROADWAY.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB WPR26LA153](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA153), Apr 12, 2026: Republic RC-3 (N6518K), Phoenix, AZ, substantial damage, investigation ongoing

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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