# NTSB WPR12LA318: Republic RC-3, N87521, Snohomish, WA, July 21, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 21, 2012, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Snohomish, WA - Coordinates: 47.904724, -122.1025 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9047&lon=-122.1025&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report December 5, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84399 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12LA318 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84399/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84399 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA318 ## Probable cause Loss of engine power during takeoff for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Republic RC-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=3080202), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Republic RC-3, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=3080202), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Republic RC-3, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=3080202), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Republic RC-3, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3080202), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during takeoff for the local flight, the engine lost power. A witness reported that shortly after takeoff, the airplane descended and collided with a tree located off the departure end of the runway then impacted terrain. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On July 21, 2012, about 1030 Pacific daylight time, a Republic RC-3 airplane, N87521, collided with a tree shortly after takeoff from Harvey Field (S43) Snohomish, Washington. The airline transport pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was seriously injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the aft fuselage. The airplane was registered to the pilot, and operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. Witnesses reported that shortly after takeoff they observed the airplane’s right wing hit a tree located off the departure end of runway 15L. One witness stated that the airplane was not ascending before it struck the tree. The airplane subsequently collided with terrain and came to rest in a creek about 3,000 feet beyond the departure end of the runway. In a written statement, the pilot reported that he “left Harvey Field lost power.” No other explanation or details surrounding the event or loss of engine power was provided by the pilot. Follow-up conversations with the pilot revealed no additional details surrounding the accident sequence. Following the accident, personnel employed by the airport moved the wreckage from the accident location to a parking tie-down at the airport. Examination of the airplane by representatives from NTSB and FAA revealed structural damage to the aft lower fuselage and both wings. The engine was intact, in place and no impact related damage was noted. The engine case, cylinders and associated overhead components were intact and no anomalies were observed. Both magnetos were attached to their respective drive pads and the associated ignition wires and spark plugs were in place and unremarkable. The top spark plugs were removed; light rust type corrosion was noted to the bodies of all 6 spark plugs. The surface area between the center and ground electrodes was clear and normal wear patterns were observed. Drive train continuity was established by manually rotating the crankshaft. The oil sump was in place and no holes, breaches or leaks were observed. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of a pre impact mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N87521](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N87521-2012-08-14), registration cancelled 2012-08-14, S/N 78, built 1946 (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: 78 - Airframe hours: 2040 - Engines: Lycoming GO-480 295 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: John Harms - Registered owner: John Harms - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 21, 2011 - Departed: S43, Snohomish, WA - Destination: S43, Snohomish, WA - Airport: S43, Harvey Field Airport, runway 15, 2,671 × 36 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 77; injuries: serious; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 30, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 19,000 total, 300 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles ## 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 20120721018729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120721018729A), Jul 21, 2012: Republic RC-3, Snohomish, WA, Substantial damage. Witness said it didn't sound like the eng was developing full power. They thought the pilot was doing a high speed taxi and not going to take off. Pilot lifted… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 12, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84399. 4.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40399156&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statements (item 2, .PDF, 797 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40399155&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - Exam Report (2 Embedded Images) (item 3, .PDF, 2 photos, 612 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40399823&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Exam%20Report%20(2%20Embedded%20Images)-Master.PDF 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.