# NTSB GAA18CA225: Republic RC 3, N9042N, Pelion, SC, April 21, 2018

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 21, 2018, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Pelion, SC
- Coordinates: 33.795833, -81.245834 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7958&lon=-81.2458&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 27, 2018
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 97094
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA225
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97094/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97094
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA225

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in gusting crosswind conditions.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Republic RC-3, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=3080202), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Republic RC-3, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=3080202), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Republic RC-3, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=3080202), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Republic RC-3, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=3080202), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Republic RC-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=3080202), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Republic RC-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=3080202), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Republic RC-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=3080202), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Republic RC-3, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3080202), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Republic RC-3, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=3080202), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped amphibious airplane reported that, during the landing roll, the airplane veered to the left. The pilot added full right rudder, but the airplane exited the left side of the runway and impacted a ditch. The right main landing gear sheared off and the right wing struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located about 12 miles east of the airport reported that, about 34 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 090° at 11 knots, gusting 15 knots. The same automated station reported that, about 26 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 080° at 7 knots, gusting to 16 knots. The airplane landed on runway 18.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped amphibious airplane reported that, during the landing roll, the airplane veered to the left. The pilot added full right rudder, but the airplane exited the left side of the runway and impacted a ditch. The right main landing gear sheared off and the right wing struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located about 12 miles east of the airport reported that, about 34 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 090° at 11 knots, gusting 15 knots. The same automated station reported that, about 26 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 080° at 7 knots, gusting to 16 knots. The airplane landed on runway 18.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9042N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9042N), registered now, S/N 275, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: REPUBLIC RC 3 (UNDESIGNAT)
- Registry model: [Republic RC-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/republic-rc-3) (registry code 3080202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming GO-480 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-go-480-series) (registry code 41527, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 275
- Year built: 1947
- Airframe hours: 1354
- Engines: LYCOMING GO-480-B 270 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 5, 2018
- Departed: SC99, LEXINGTON, SC
- Destination: 6J0, Lexington, SC
- Airport: 6J0, Lexington County At Pelion, runway 18, 4,335 × 75 ft, concrete
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial, flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 14, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 26,000 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 12,675 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 11 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.38 inHg
- Observed at: KCAE, 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 20180421025049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180421025049A), Apr 21, 2018: Republic RC-3, Pelion, SC, Substantial damage. On April 20, 2018 at 1145 local time, aircraft landed at Pelion, SC airport, upon touchdown the aircraft became uncontrollable and veered to the right side of…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 13, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97094. 4.6 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464001&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 969 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464002&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.

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