# NTSB SEA01LA154: Republic RC-3, N6755K, Chimacum, WA, August 12, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 12, 2001, 14:42 local (21:42 UTC) - Place: Chimacum, WA - Coordinates: 48.019329, -123.81916 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.0193&lon=-123.8192&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 3, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 53063 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA01LA154 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53063/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA01LA154 ## Probable cause An internal ground in the right magneto followed by an internal ground evidenced by arcing in the left ignition coil unit, which led to failure of both the right magneto and the left coil ignition system respectively during cruise. Contributing factors were a cow impacted by the right main landing gear and the pilot's unanticipated higher than expected rate of descent during the 180 degree descending turn to final. ## 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 - ignition system,magneto - other (cause) - ignition system,magneto - failure - ignition system,ignition lead - other (cause) - ignition system,ignition lead - failure - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown - proper descent rate - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor) - object - animal(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis After conducting a satisfactory pre-takeoff run-up check of both the right magneto and left coil ignition system, the pilot departed for his destination. Approximately 30 minutes into the flight the engine began to run rough and the pilot determined that the right magneto was not operating. He then selected the left ignition and, although the engine initially continued to run roughly, eventually all power was lost. The pilot selected an open field used by a farmer to operate his Cessna 177 in and out of due to the non-availability of any other adequate landing site. As he maneuvered through a 180 degree turn toward the landing area, he noted a 1,000-foot/minute rate of descent, which was greater than he had anticipated. The landing gear had been extended and as the aircraft was maneuvered onto a short final, the right main landing gear struck a cow. The aircraft yawed into a left skid, contacted the ground and skidded through a barbwire fence. Post-crash examination revealed that the right magneto had grounded internally resulting in its failure to operate. Additional testing revealed the left coil ignition system had also grounded internally as evidence by arcing, and it too, had failed. ## Factual narrative On August 12, 2001, approximately 1442 Pacific daylight time, a Republic RC-3, N6755K, recently purchased and being flown by an airline transport rated pilot, was substantially damaged during an in flight collision with objects during the landing flare following a loss of power and forced landing, near Chimacum, Washington. The pilot was uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was personal, was operated under 14 CFR 91, and originated from Orcas Island, Washington, approximately 1415. The pilot reported that he conducted a pre-takeoff run-up including magneto and ignition checks, which were satisfactory (the aircraft's total ignition system consisted of an automotive type coil ignition and a magneto for redundancy). He then departed Orcas Island, Washington, destined for Aurora, Oregon and experienced no engine problems until just passing slightly southwest of Chimacum, Washington. He reported that at that time the engine began to run rough. He selected the "mag" position and determined the magneto was not operating. He then selected the "ignition" position and determined that although the coil ignition was operating, the engine was running rough. The roughness increased until the engine finally quit. The area he was traversing consisted of a channel with shallow water (low tide) and tree stumps/deadheads. He identified a dairy pasture with cattle at the east end and executed a 180-degree right turn to land to the west over flying the cattle. As he entered into the turn he noted a 1,000-foot/minute rate of descent, which was greater than he had anticipated. The landing gear had been extended and as the aircraft was maneuvered onto a short final the right main landing gear struck a cow. The aircraft yawed into a left skid, contacted the ground and skidded through a barbwire fence. The pilot reported that the owner of the field he landed in had operated his Cessna 177 in and out of this same field and that "...it's the only decent place to land within 5 miles radius...." Post crash examination by the pilot, an airframe and power plant mechanic, revealed evidence of arcing due to a direct ground of the coil lead within the coil ignition, as reported to an inspector assigned to the Federal Aviation Administration's Renton Flight Standards District Office (refer to attached Inspector's Report). A check of the ignition coil system by the owner and FAA inspector determined that the coil ignition was unable to produce a spark at any spark plug. After the owner and FAA inspector repaired the coil ignition system, the engine was cranked via the starter. During this evolution, the coil ignition system produced sparks at the respective spark plugs but the magneto, installed on the engine right accessory pad, failed to produce any sparks. Further examination and bench testing of the magneto by the FAA inspector confirmed the magneto had grounded internally (refer to attached Inspector's Report). ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6755K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6755K), registered now, S/N 1043, 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: 1043 - Airframe hours: 605 - Engines: Franklin 6A8-215B9F 215 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Richardson, Gordon P. - Registered owner: Sam's Aircraft Llc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2001, 5 hours before - Departed: Orcas Island, WA - Destination: AUO, Aurora, OR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review August 1, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 24,000 total, 500 in this make and model, 14,010 as pilot in command, 147 in the last 90 days, 56 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: CLM, 30 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 20010812038169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010812038169A), Aug 12, 2001: Stolam RC3, Chimacum, WA, No damage. (-23) The sea FSDO was assisted in this accident investigation by pdx FSDO inspector john clark who submitted the following information as a result of his… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.