# NTSB DEN85LA218: Downer Aircraft Industries REP. Seabee RC-3, N6305K, Haugan, MT, August 13, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 13, 1985, 08:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Haugan, MT
- Coordinates: 47.320941, -115.360664 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3209&lon=-115.3607&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16747
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA218
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16747/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA218

## 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, climb - to cruise
  - engine assembly,piston - failure,total (cause)
  - airspeed - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD RECONDITIONED N6305K AND WAS FLYING THE ACFT TO HIS HOME IN TEXAS. HE CONTINUED TO STATE THAT WHILE CLIMBING THROUGH 6500 FT, HE HEARD AN UNUSUAL NOISE FOLLOWED BY A SUBSTANTIAL LOSS IN PWR. THE PLT EXECUTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON A FOREST SERVICE ROAD. EXAM OF THE ENG AFTER THE ACCIDENT REVEALED THAT THE NO. 3 PISTON HAD FAILED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6305K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6305K-2022-12-31), registration cancelled 2022-12-31, S/N 524, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Downer Aircraft Industries REP. SEABEE RC-3 (REP. SEABE)
- 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
- Serial number: 524
- Airframe hours: 350
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6A8-215-B8F 215 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Dale A. Mccombs
- Registered owner: Dallas Piper
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: COE, COEUR D'ALENE, ID
- Destination: MSO, MISSOULA, MT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 6,000 total, 10 in this make and model, 5,800 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19850813038899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850813038899A), Aug 13, 1985: Stolam RC3, Haugan, MT, Substantial damage. No reason found for piston failure. Engine quit, emergency landing made on a us forest service road.

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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