# NTSB NYC83LA236: Republic RC-3, N6191K, Gilderland, NY, September 4, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 4, 1983, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Gilderland, NY
- Location: 42.7045° N, 73.9115° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Guilderland, NY, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7045&lon=-73.9115&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35271
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83LA236
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35271/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83LA236

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,line fitting - blocked(total) (cause)
  - maintenance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, approach
- Loss of control - in flight, approach
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ON THE DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE IN A HAY FIELD AFTER THE ENG LOST POWER. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED A DEFECTIVE FUEL LINE. THE FUEL LINE WAS REPAIRED. DURING A GROUND RUN-UP, THE ENG PRODUCED FULL POWER & THE MAGNETO CHECK WAS NORMAL. HOWEVER, DURING A TAKEOFF, THE ENG LOST POWER AGAIN AT APRX 40 FT AGL. THE PLT REPORTED THAT WHILE HE WAS IN A LEFT TURN TO AVOID TREES, CONTROL EFFECTIVENESS WAS LOST & HE COULD NOT LEVEL THE WINGS. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CRASHED & WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT DISCLOSED FOREIGN MATERIAL IN THE INLET ELBOW OF THE GAS STRAINER. THE PLT STATED THAT THE MATERIAL WAS A BALL OF GUMMY RUST. IN A DIAGRAM DEPICTING ITS LOCATION, HE SHOWED THAT IT WAS NEXT TO A DEFECTIVE HOSE CONNECTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6191K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6191K-2013-03-11), registration cancelled 2013-03-11, S/N 382, 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: 382
- Airframe hours: 850
- Engines: FRANKLIN B9F reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Thomas J. Stevenson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: 51B, ESPERANCE, NY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,300 total, 2 in this make and model, 200 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19830904047079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830904047079A), Sep 4, 1983: Stolam RC3, Gilderland, NY, Substantial damage. Engine quit on an off airport takeoff. Crash landed. Found dirt in inlet elbow of gas strainer.

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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