# NTSB SEA97LA140: Republic RC-3-1, N6290K, Monument Valley, UT, June 13, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 13, 1997, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Monument Valley, UT - Coordinates: 37.080909, -110.250846 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0809&lon=-110.2508&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 29, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42631 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA97LA140 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42631/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA140 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate preflight planing/preparation, and his failure to maintain sufficient altitude or clearance from the terrain. Factors relating to the accident included: high, gusty, variable winds, and terrain induced downdrafts. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - weather condition - variable wind (contributing factor) - weather condition - turbulence,terrain induced (contributing factor) - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor) - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot attempted a takeoff with the wind blowing at 30 knots and gusting to 45 knots. Reportedly, the wind was blowing through large rock formations near the airport, the wind direction was constantly varying, and strong downdrafts were being created. The pilot reported that when the aircraft was about 300 feet above the ground, it felt like it had flown into a strong downdraft, and he was unable to keep it from descending into the terrain. ## Factual narrative On June 13, 1997, approximately 1500 mountain daylight time, an amphibious Republic RC-3-1, N6290K, impacted the terrain shortly after takeoff from Gouldings Monument Valley Airport, Monument Valley, Utah. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, received minor injuries, and the aircraft, which was owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal pleasure flight was departing for Page, Arizona in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed, and there was no report of an ELT activation. According to a witness at the airport, at the time the pilot attempted his departure, the wind was blowing at 30 knots, gusting to 45 knots. Because the wind was blowing through the large rock formations near the airport, the wind direction was constantly changing and strong terrain-induced downdrafts were being created. The pilot said that during the initial climb, when the aircraft was about 300 feet above the ground, it felt like he had flown into a severe downdraft, and he could not keep the aircraft from being pushed into the terrain. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6290K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6290K), registered now, S/N 503 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Republic RC-3-1 - Registry model: [Republic RC-3-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/republic-rc-3-1) (registry code 3080203) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 503 - Airframe hours: 634 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Lafont, Rowland G. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 2, 1996, 90 hours before - Departed: 71V - Destination: PGA, PAGE, AZ - Airport: 71V, Gouldings Monument Valley ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,396 total, 103 in this make and model, 115 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 135° at 30 knots, gusting 45 - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F ## 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 19970613014169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970613014169A), Jun 13, 1997: Stolam RC3, Monument Valley, UT, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed on takeoff. (.4)the pilot attempted a takeoff with the wind blowing at 30 knots and gusting to 45 knots. Reportedly, the wind was blowing… 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.