# NTSB FTW96LA081: Republic RC 3, N6127K, Whitewright, TX, December 28, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 28, 1995, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Whitewright, TX - Coordinates: 33.509418, -96.390487 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5094&lon=-96.3905&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 17, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19733 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA081 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19733/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA081 ## Probable cause The separation of a spark plug and 4 other spark plugs being 'finger' tight as a result of undertorquing by maintenance personnel when they were reinstalled following inspection. A factor was a lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, climb - to cruise - maintenance,inspection - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause) - ignition system,spark plug - undertorqued (cause) - ignition system,spark plug - separation (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - object - sign ## Analysis The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff, the airplane's engine 'stopped and then started up again.' Soon after, the engine started to lose power again. A forced landing was made. When the aircraft was inspected, it was found that one of the spark plugs in each of the number 1, 4, 5, and 6 cylinders were 'finger' tight, and the second spark plug in the number 6 cylinder had completely separated from the cylinder. These plugs were removed by a mechanic for the pre-buy inspection prior to the pilots purchase of the airplane. ## Factual narrative On December 28, 1995, at 1600 central standard time, a Republic Seabee RC 3, N6127K, was substantially damaged while performing a forced landing near Whitewright, Texas. The aircraft was being operated by the owner, under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from Tri-County Airport located near Whitewright, Texas, at approximately 1550. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the ferry flight and no flight plan was filed. The pilot had purchased the airplane near Atlanta, Georgia and was ferrying it to Chandler, Arizona. The pilot reported he had a mechanic perform a pre-buy inspection before purchasing the airplane which included removal and inspection of the spark plugs. He had stopped at Tri-County Airport for fuel and oil (the airplane was using 1 1/4 quarts of oil per hour). Shortly after takeoff, the airplane's engine "stopped and then started up again." Soon after, the engine started to lose power again. During the ensuing forced landing on a road, the airplane impacted road signs and one wing separated from the fuselage. Inspection of the airplane revealed that one spark plug on each of number 1, 4, 5, and 6 cylinders was "finger" tight. The second spark plug on the number 6 cylinder had completely separated from the cylinder. The inspection also revealed the engine was covered in oil. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6127K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6127K-2015-05-13), registration cancelled 2015-05-13, S/N 313, 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: 313 - Airframe hours: 1547 - Engines: Franklin 6A8-215-B8F 215 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: William Grantham - Registered owner: Interesting Investments, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 25, 1996 - Departed: 48TX, WHITERIGHT, TX - Destination: P10, CHANDLER, AZ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 8,000 total, 10 in this make and model, 6,000 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 5 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: F39, 12 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 19951228042689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951228042689A), Dec 28, 1995: Stolam RC3, Trenton, TX, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Hit sign landing on road. Tore off wing. Spark plugs finger tight or missing. Not tightened (-23) on December 28, 1996, at 1600 CST, a… 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.