# NTSB CHI01LA013: Republic RC-3, N6175K, Baraboo, WI, October 12, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 12, 2000, 08:00 local (13:00 UTC) - Place: Baraboo, WI - Coordinates: 43.460498, -89.739204 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4605&lon=-89.7392&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 4, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 50545 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI01LA013 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50545/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=50545 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA013 ## Probable cause the failure of the number five intake valve spring during initial climbout and that there was no suitable terrain during the forced landing. A factor was the corn crop. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb - engine assembly,valve,intake - failure (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - none suitable (cause) - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane encountered an in-flight loss of engine power during initial climbout and sustained substantial damage on impact with vegetation and terrain during a forced landing in a field. The pilot and pilot rated passenger were uninjured. The pilot stated, "Between 250' and 400' AGL airspeed began to decay and climb rate decreased quickly. ... Aircraft pitch attitude was continually being reduced to maintain flying speed. Control became difficult (control feel 'mushy') and return to runway seemed impossible. Altitude was decreasing quickly. At this point I estimate height AGL at less than 200'. Aircraft was turned into wind, towards best field. Avoided obstacles and landed in corn field." The pilot listed the mechanical malfunction as, "Intake valve spring failed on #5 cylinder. When spring failed, allowed intake valve to remain open. Failure disrupted entire engine function." ## Factual narrative On October 12, 2000, about 0800 central daylight time, a Republic RC-3, N6175K, piloted by a commercial pilot, encountered an in-flight loss of engine power and sustained substantial damage on impact with vegetation and terrain during a forced landing in a field near Baraboo, Wisconsin. The ferry flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was on file. The pilot and pilot rated passenger were uninjured. The flight was on initial climbout from Baraboo Wisconsin Dells Airport (DLL), near Baraboo, Wisconsin and was destined for Genesee County Airport, near Batavia, New York. The pilot stated, "Perfect VFR weather. At about 0715 local, the aircraft was fueled and preflighted. One quart engine oil added. Engine was started and run to verify operation. Engine operation was smooth after engine was warmed up. Aircraft was taxied to runway 19. Magneto, carb heat, and propeller operations all checked - normal operation during run-up. Engine response was accurate and smooth. Flap operations checked and set for takeoff. Pre takeoff checklist completed. At about 0800 local, taxied into position. Applied full power and verified normal manifold pressure and propeller RPM. During takeoff roll prop RPM observed steady at bottom of yellow arc, about 2450 RPM. Liftoff occurred at approximately 55 mph. Aircraft accelerated to about 75 MPH and climb rate increased to greater than 250 feet per minute on VSI (observed). Between 250' and 400' AGL airspeed began to decay and climb rate decreased quickly. Pilot reduced pitch attitude to maintain airspeed (no change in engine sound was obvious after power and prop were set for takeoff). Prop, throttle, mixture, and carb heat verified full forward, no change in performance observed. Traffic pattern turn abandoned as climb rate and airspeed continued to decay. Aircraft pitch attitude was continually being reduced to maintain flying speed. Control became difficult (control feel 'mushy') and return to runway seemed impossible. Altitude was decreasing quickly. At this point I estimate height AGL at less than 200'. Aircraft was turned into wind, towards best field. Avoided obstacles and landed in corn field." The pilot stated that the airplane damage was a broken left main gear, damaged right wing sponson, damaged right wing tip, and cracked right wing spar. The pilot listed the mechanical malfunction as, "Intake valve spring failed on #5 cylinder. When spring failed, allowed intake valve to remain open. Failure disrupted entire engine function." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6175K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6175K), registered now, S/N 363, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Republic RC-3 - Registry model: [Republic RC-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/republic-rc-3) (registry code 3080202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Franklin 6A8 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a8-series) (registry code 27030, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 363 - Airframe hours: 471 - Engines: Franklin 6A8/215/B8F 215 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Ferry, Part 91 - Registered owner: Floatsome Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: DLL, WI - Destination: GVQ, BATAVIA, NY - Airport: DLL, Baraboo Wisconsin Dells ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,300 total, 5 in this make and model, 1,150 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 126 °F, dew point 97 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: DLL, 1 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20001012042989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20001012042989A), Oct 12, 2000: Stolam RC3, Baraboo, WI, Substantial damage. (-23) RC-3-3 a seabee, N6175K sustained substantial damage to the right wing sponson and wing spar and left main landing gear as a result of a forced landing… ## Other investigations on N6175K (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 CHI66F0127](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI66F0127), Aug 1, 1965: Republic RC-3 (N6175K), Youngstown, OH, substantial damage ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 15, 2001, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=50545. 1.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 445 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466221&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Witness Statement and Record of Interview (item 2, .PDF, 110 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466222&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement%20and%20Record%20of%20Interview-Master.PDF - Sauk County Sheriff's Department Report (item 3, .PDF, 664 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466223&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Sauk%20County%20Sheriff%27s%20Department%20Report-Master.PDF - Ferry Permit and Application (item 4, .PDF, 246 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466224&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Ferry%20Permit%20and%20Application-Master.PDF - Logbook Excerpt (item 5, .PDF, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466225&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Logbook%20Excerpt-Master.PDF - E-mail From Karen K. Krueger (item 6, .PDF, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466226&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=E-mail%20From%20Karen%20K.%20Krueger-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.