# NTSB WPR26LA153: Republic RC-3, N6518K, Phoenix, AZ, April 12, 2026

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report
- Date: April 12, 2026, 14:23 local (21:23 UTC)
- Place: Phoenix, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.514366, -112.06496
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5144&lon=-112.0650&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Investigation ongoing
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Lycoming Engines, Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 202804
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR26LA153
- NTSB preliminary report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202804/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA153

## Preliminary report

On April 12, 2026, about 1423 mountain standard time, a Republic RC-3 airplane, N6518K, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Phoenix, Arizona. The pilot and two passengers were not injured. The amphibious airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he departed Hangar Haciendas Airport (AZ90) Laveen, Arizona with two passengers onboard for a local flight. While enroute at an altitude of about 2,500 mean sea level, travelling toward Camelback Mountain, the propeller rpm began to overspeed. The pilot attempted to lower the propeller rpm, but the engine and propeller did not respond. Shortly after, smoke was observed coming out of the left side of the engine cowling and the engine lost all power. The pilot executed a gear-up forced landing on a road, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage keel hull underside. During the landing sequence, the left wing contacted a water backflow valve, damaging the leading edge of the left wing and the left wing sponson. Postaccident examination revealed the engine’s right-side exhaust tail pipe had separated from the exhaust manifold. The examination also found thermal damage and fractures to an aluminum panel, the air intake ducting for the carburetor, the fuel delivery line to the carburetor, and electrical wiring including both magneto P-leads. The airplane was retained for further examination.

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Enroute-cruise: 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)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6518K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6518K), registered now, S/N 784, 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: 784
- Year built: 1947
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Departed: AZ90, Laveen, AZ

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 11 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 23,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observed at: KPHX, 6 nm away
- METAR: METAR KPHX 122051Z 26011G15KT 10SM FEW100 FEW160 OVC230 28/01 A2990 RMK AO2 SLP109 T02830006 56008 $

## 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 20260412003919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260412003919A), Apr 12, 2026: Republic RC-3, Phoenix, AZ, Substantial damage. The aircraft departed AZ90 and proceeded east toward camelback mountain. During flight, the pilot heard a metallic “ting” sound and observed the engine RPM…

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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