# NTSB MIA89LA005: Republic RC-3, N3263G, Miami, FL, October 6, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 6, 1988, 13:55 local (17:55 UTC)
- Place: Miami, FL
- Coordinates: 25.67962, -80.159118 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.6796&lon=-80.1591&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32341
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32341/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA005

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - gear extension - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - habit interference, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - checklist - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - wheels down landing in water - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ELEVATOR TRIM AND ELECTED TO LAND THE AMPHIBIOUS ACFT IN THE BAY. HE ACKNOWLEDGED AND WITNESSES OBSERVED HIM LOWER THE LANDING GEAR PRIOR TO ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON THE WATER. THE AIRCRAFT FLIPPED INVERTED UPON TOUCHDOWN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3263G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3263G), registered now, S/N 361, 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: [Lycoming GO-480 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-go-480-series) (registry code 41527, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 631
- Airframe hours: 1777
- Engines: LYCOMING GO-480 270 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert E. Carswell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 11, 1987, 144 hours before
- Departed: TMB, TAMIAMI, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total, 175 in this make and model, 2,900 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TMB, 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 19881006044739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881006044739A), Oct 6, 1988: Stolam RC3, Miami, FL, Substantial damage. Put gear down by mistake for water landing. Amphibian flipped over. Reported elevator trim broke. No defects noted.

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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