# NTSB LAX78DVA35: Republic RC-3, N6392K, Buttonwillow, CA, April 10, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: April 10, 1978
- Place: Buttonwillow, CA · BUTTONWILLOW, CA
- Location: 35.4092° N, 119.4407° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Buttonwillow, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4092&lon=-119.4407&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 11, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 142643
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX78DVA35
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX78DVA35

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0534  78/4/10    BUTTONWILLOW,CA     REPUBLIC RC-3       CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 46, 18000
        TIME - 1500                    N6392K              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 80 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          WASCO,CA                    TULARE LAKE,CA               BUTTONWILLOW,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           WHEELS-DOWN LANDING IN WATER                             LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO RETRACT LANDING GEAR
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - CHECKLIST-FAILED TO USE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6392K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6392K-2024-03-02), registration cancelled 2024-03-02, S/N 630, 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
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19780410005409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780410005409A), Apr 10, 1978: Stolam RC3, Buttonwillow, CA, Substantial damage

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.