# NTSB CHI82DA246: Republic RC-3, N6444K, Saginaw, MI, July 12, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 12, 1982, 15:29 local (19:29 UTC)
- Place: Saginaw, MI
- Location: 43.4177° N, 83.9547° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Saginaw, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4177&lon=-83.9547&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 12, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72456
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82DA246
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72456/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA246

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE TOOK OFF WITH 35 GAL OF FUEL ABOARD. AFTER ABOUT 128 NAUTICAL MILES, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. WHILE LANDING IN A MUDDY CORN FIELD WITH THE GEAR RETRACTED, THE AIRCRAFT SLID A SHORT DISTANCE THEN NOSED OVER. ONE OF THE FIRST PERSONS TO ARRIVE AT THE SCENE STATED THAT HE COULD NOT RECALL SMELLING FUEL. THE NEXT MORNING (AFTER THE AIRCRAFT WAS INVERTED ALL NIGHT), HE ARRIVED AT THE SCENE AND NOTED THAT THE FUEL CAP WAS DANGLING BY ITS CHAIN, BUT HE DID NOT RECALL THE CAP DANGLING ON THE NIGHT BEFORE. IT WAS NOTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN BROKEN INTO OVER NIGHT AND SEVERAL ARTICLES HAD BEEN REMOVED. AN INSPECTION AND OPERATIONAL CHECK OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO PREIMPACT FAILURES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6444K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6444K-1995-08-16), registration cancelled 1995-08-16, S/N 694 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: REPUBLIC RC-3
- Registry model: [Republic RC-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/republic-rc-3) (registry code 3080202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 694
- Airframe hours: 1063
- Engines: FRANKLIN B9F 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William R. Aikens
- Registered owner: William R. Aikens
- Departed: HARBOR SPRINGS, MI
- Destination: TROY, MI
- Airport: 3SG, Harry Browne

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,018 total, 43 in this make and model, 1,893 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 176 °F

## 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 19820712027249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820712027249A), Jul 12, 1982: Stolam RC3, Saginaw, MI, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel 2 miles short of fueling stop. Landed wheels up in a muddy field. Nose dug in, airplane inverted.

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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