# NTSB MIA85LA116: Republic RC-3, N6294K, Lake Placid, FL, March 9, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 9, 1985, 18:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Lake Placid, FL
- Coordinates: 27.290121, -81.360115 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.2901&lon=-81.3601&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31365
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85LA116
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31365/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LA116

## 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, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
- Fire, other
  - engine assembly,other - fire
- Forced landing, landing

## Analysis

THE PLT HEARD A LOUD NOISE & NOTICED THAT A FIRE HAD IMMEDIATELY STARTED IN THE ENG COMPARTMENT. HE MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON A NEARBY LAKE; HOWEVER, THE AMPHIBIOUS ACFT CONTINUED BURNING & WAS DESTROYED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE FIRE HAD STARTED AFTER A CONNECTING ROD BOLT HAD FAILED & THE ROD WENT THRU THE ENG CASE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6294K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6294K), registered now, S/N 507, 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: 507
- Engines: FRANKLIN B9F 215 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Both
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Stevens Vintage, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 8X5, LAKE PLACID, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 8,300 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 45 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FMY, 51 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 19850309008149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850309008149A), Mar 9, 1985: Stolam RC3, Lake Placid, FL, Destroyed. Water landing due to inflight fire. Aircraft burned and sank. Connecting rod bolt broke and went thru engine case.

## Other investigations on N6294K (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 NYC66D0184](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC66D0184), Aug 15, 1965: Republic RC-3 (N6294K), East Rodman, NY, 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.

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