# NTSB MIA90LA187: Republic RC-3, N6291K, Mulberry, FL, September 24, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 24, 1990, 19:06 local (23:06 UTC)
- Place: Mulberry, FL
- Coordinates: 27.899686, -81.970932 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.8997&lon=-81.9709&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32704
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA90LA187
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32704/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90LA187

## Probable cause

AN ENGINE FAILURE WHICH REQUIRED AN EMERGENCY LANDING OFF AIRPORT.

## 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,piston - failure,total (cause)
  - engine assembly,piston - undetermined (cause)
  - fluid,oil - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING CRUISE FLT AT 3,000 FT, 20 MILES SOUTH OF THE INTENDED DESTINATION, THE PLT REPORTED THAT SMOKE FILLED THE COCKPIT. ABOUT 1 MINUTE LATER THE ENG SEIZED. DURING THE ATTEMPTED FORCED LANDING ON A WATER FILLED PHOSPHATE PIT, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH AN EMBANKMENT SHORT OF THE PIT, NOSED OVER AND CAME TO REST INVERTED. EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THAT THE NUMBER 4 CYLINDER PISTON WAS DAMAGED CIRCUMFERENTIALLY FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. ALSO DISCOVERED WAS THE FAILURE OF THE NUMBER 5 CYLINDER CONNECTING ROD. THE ENG WAS REPORTEDLY RECENTLY OVERHAULED BUT THE LOGBOOKS WERE INSIDE THE ACFT & WERE NOT RECOVERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6291K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6291K-1993-03-23), registration cancelled 1993-03-23, S/N 504 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: REPUBLIC RC-3
- Registry model: [Republic RC-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/republic-rc-3) (registry code 3080202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 504
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6A8-215-B8F 215 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Back Forty, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Departed: FXE, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL
- Destination: LAL, LAKELAND, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 340 total, 3 in this make and model, 275 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAL, 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 19900924042249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900924042249A), Sep 24, 1990: Stolam RC3, Mulberry, FL, Substantial damage. Engine threw a rod near destination. Struck bank of a pond trying to land on pond. NR3 piston damage and oil filled

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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