# NTSB LAX88LA004: Republic RC-3, N87583, Clearlake, CA, October 4, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 4, 1987, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Clearlake, CA
- Coordinates: 38.960098, -122.640708 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9601&lon=-122.6407&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25878
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA004
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25878/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA004

## Sequence of events

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

- Gear not retracted, landing - flare/touchdown
  - wheels down landing in water - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - gear retraction - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER WHEN THE PILOT MADE A WATER LANDING WITH THE WHEELS EXTENDED. THE PILOT FAILED TO USE THE LANDING CHECKLIST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N87583](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N87583), registered now, S/N 151, built 1946 (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: [Lycoming GSO&IGSO-480 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-gso-igso-480-series) (registry code 41529, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 151
- Engines: LYCOMING GISO-480 340 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Donald E. Wallace
- Registered owner: William F Floten
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 102, LAKEPORT, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 25,000 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 17,000 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 99 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: UKI, 18 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 19871004060349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871004060349A), Oct 4, 1987: Stolam RC3, Clearlake, CA, Substantial damage. Collided with the water on touchdown. Nosed over and sank. Forgot to retract the landing gear on takeoff at airport

## Other investigations on N87583 (1)

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.

- [NTSB WPR24LA180](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA180), Jun 5, 2024: Republic RC-3 (N87583), Butte, MT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during the takeoff with a gusty left quartering crosswind.

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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