# NTSB CHI72FET34: Downer RC-3, N6097K, Ligonier, IN, June 3, 1972

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: June 3, 1972
- Place: Ligonier, IN · LIGONIER, IN
- Location: 41.4619° N, 85.5959° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Ligonier, IN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4619&lon=-85.5959&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 19, 1972
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 166772
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI72FET34
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI72FET34

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0181   72/6/3    LIGONIER,IND        DOWNER RC-3         CR-  0  0  1  MISCELLANEOUS             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1200                    N6097K              PX-  0  0  1  FERRY                     AGE 55, 14807 TOTAL
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            HOURS, 68 IN TYPE,
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - LIGONIER
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          LIGONIER,IND                KANSAS CITY,MO
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO ABORT TAKEOFF
        FACTOR(S)
           AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT CONDITIONS: HIGH VEGETATION
           WEATHER - UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS
           WEATHER - HIGH TEMPERATURE
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          SCATTERED                                                UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      80
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          180                                                       18
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- 2600FT PVT STRIP,GRASS ALMOST 12IN HIGH.RODE BRAKE DUE 90DEG X-WIND,GUSTING 20K.TLWHL CAUGHT WIRE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6097K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6097K), registered now, S/N 280, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DOWNER RC-3
- Registry model: [Downer REPUBLIC RC-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/downer-republic-rc-3) (registry code 3080204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6A8 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a8-series) (registry code 27030, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Ligonier

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.

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