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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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September 12, 1984 · Republic RC-3 · N6516K

Little Rock, AR

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 12, 1984
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Little Rock, AR
Aircraft
Republic RC-3
Tail Number
N6516K
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC84LA275

THE ANTIQUE ACFT WAS PURCHASED AND A FERRY FLT TO CALIFORNIA ATTEMPTED WITH VERY LIMITED DUAL INSTRUCTION AND MINIMAL KNOWLEDGE OF THE ACFT. THE PROPELLER INSTALLED ON THE ACFT WAS NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH FAA SPECIFICATIONS. AN STC WAS AVAILABLE FOR THE PROPELLER BUT MAINT LOGS DID NOT REFLECT THE INSTALLATION OF THE PROPELLER OR IF THE STC HAD BEEN COMPLIED WITH. ACCORDING TO THE PLT'S STATEMENT, IN THE 6 HRS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE ACFT THE MAX ENGINE RPM ATTAINED WAS 2,000. DURING THE INITIAL LEGS OF THE FERRY FROM MORRISTOWN, TN, NUMEROUS TAKEOFFS WERE ABORTED BECAUSE THE ACFT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE TO THE PROPER TAKEOFF SPEED. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT 2 UNSUCCESSFUL TAKEOFFS WERE ABORTED ON THE 9,000 FT RWY. ON THE THIRD TRY THE ACFT CLIMBED TO ABOUT 200 FT BUT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALT. IN AN ATTEMPT TO CLEAR A HIGHWAY THE PLT RAISED THE NOSE UNTIL THE ACFT STALLED, ENTERED AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT AND IMPACTED THE GROUND SHORT OF THE ROAD.

Full Narrative

THE ANTIQUE ACFT WAS PURCHASED AND A FERRY FLT TO CALIFORNIA ATTEMPTED WITH VERY LIMITED DUAL INSTRUCTION AND MINIMAL KNOWLEDGE OF THE ACFT. THE PROPELLER INSTALLED ON THE ACFT WAS NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH FAA SPECIFICATIONS. AN STC WAS AVAILABLE FOR THE PROPELLER BUT MAINT LOGS DID NOT REFLECT THE INSTALLATION OF THE PROPELLER OR IF THE STC HAD BEEN COMPLIED WITH. ACCORDING TO THE PLT'S STATEMENT, IN THE 6 HRS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE ACFT THE MAX ENGINE RPM ATTAINED WAS 2,000. DURING THE INITIAL LEGS OF THE FERRY FROM MORRISTOWN, TN, NUMEROUS TAKEOFFS WERE ABORTED BECAUSE THE ACFT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE TO THE PROPER TAKEOFF SPEED. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT 2 UNSUCCESSFUL TAKEOFFS WERE ABORTED ON THE 9,000 FT RWY. ON THE THIRD TRY THE ACFT CLIMBED TO ABOUT 200 FT BUT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALT. IN AN ATTEMPT TO CLEAR A HIGHWAY THE PLT RAISED THE NOSE UNTIL THE ACFT STALLED, ENTERED AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT AND IMPACTED THE GROUND SHORT OF THE ROAD.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:10 CDT
Nearest AirportAdams Field (0nm SW)
Runway22
Runway Length7172 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRepublic RC-3
Tail NumberN6516K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsFranklin · 6A8-215-B9F · Reciprocating · 215
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 54 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 4 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:19
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data