# NTSB IAD96LA128: Republic RC-3, N6240K, Amos, Canada, August 5, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 5, 1996, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Amos, Canada
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28094
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD96LA128
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28094/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD96LA128

## Probable cause

the pilot's inadvertent wheels down landing on water.  A related factor was his diverted attention during the landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Wheels down landing in water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - wheels down landing in water - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

After the pilot landed the amphibious airplane on a gravel runway adjacent to the lake/seaplane base, he discovered that fuel was only available at the dock. He took off to position the airplane for refueling, and landed on the lake with the landing gear extended. The pilot stated that his attention was diverted by boat traffic and boat wakes on the water.

## Factual narrative

On August 5, 1996, at about 1400 eastern daylight time, a Republic RC-3 amphibian airplane, N6240K, operated by the registered owner/operator, sustained substantial damage when it made a water landing with the landing gear extended at Figuery Seaplane Base,  near Amos, Quebec, Canada.  The pilot, the sole occupant, reported no injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, no flight plan was filed.  The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91, and originated from the gravel runway at Amos, at approximately 1358.

According to the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, after landing on a gravel runway adjacent to the lake, the pilot discovered that refueling was only available at the dock.  He decided to reposition the airplane.  After takeoff, the pilot maneuvered to avoid power lines, then turned downwind to set up for an approach to land on the lake.  The pilot stated "...there were numerous boats and boat wakes, so picking a spot [to land] took some concentration."  The pilot further stated "...my attention was mainly on watching for boats.  At touchdown the aircraft decelerated rapidly then nosed over to an inverted position."

In a telephone interview with the NTSB, the pilot reported that he was distracted by the winds, the waves, and the boat traffic, and he forgot to bring the landing gear up before touchdown on the water.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6240K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6240K), registered now, S/N 443, 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: 443
- Airframe hours: 1438
- Engines: Franklin 6A8-B9F 215 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Harlan Associates Of Spruce Cr
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 30, 1996, 40 hours before
- Airport: Figuery Seaplane Base

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial, flight engineer, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 18,635 total, 270 in this make and model, 10,000 as pilot in command, 180 in the last 90 days, 55 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

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.