# NTSB NYC82DA156: Downer Aircraft Industries Republic RC-3, N6426K, Southwick, MA, July 16, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: July 16, 1982, 19:25 local (23:25 UTC)
- Place: Southwick, MA
- Location: 42.0548° N, 72.7704° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Southwick, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0548&lon=-72.7704&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 16, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72655
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC82DA156
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72655/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82DA156

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - gear extension - premature, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - gear retraction - not possible, pilot in command
  - wheels down landing in water - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

DURING FLIGHT, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE SITUATION BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO OPERATE AT REDUCED POWER. HE ELECTED TO LAND THE AMPHIBIOUS PLANE IN A FIELD AND EXTENDED THE GEAR. HOWEVER THE PILOT SAW THAT THE AIRCRAFT WOULD NOT CLEAR TREES, SO HE DECIDED TO LAND ON A NEARBY LAKE. THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH TIME TO RETRACT THE GEAR; THEREFORE, DURING THE LANDING, THE PLANE FLIPPED OVER. IT CONTINUED TO FLOAT,  AND LATER, IT WAS TURNED TO AN UPRIGHT POSITION AND TOWED OUT OF THE LAKE ON ITS GEAR. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD DRAINED THE SUMPTS BEFORE THE FLIGHT. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, HE DRAINED ABOUT 5 OUNCES OF FLUID FROM THE UPPER DRAIN AND ABOUT HALF OF IT WAS WATER. HOWEVER, THE WATER WAS FOUND AFTER THE AIRCRAFT HAD FLOATED UPSIDE DOWN IN THE LAKE OVER NIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6426K (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Downer Aircraft Industries REPUBLIC RC-3 (REPUBLIC R)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 671
- Airframe hours: 383
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6A2-215 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Tim Egan
- Registered owner: Tim Egan
- Departed: 4B9, SIMSBURY, MD
- Destination: BDL, WINDSOR LOCKS, CT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 148 total, 63 in this make and model, 94 as pilot in command, 69 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Temperature: 185 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19820716034279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820716034279A), Jul 16, 1982: Stolam RC3, Southwick, MA, Substantial damage. Engine failed and aircraft made wheels down emergency landing in lake cuasing it to flip inverted.

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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