Republic RC-3 N6103K

Summary

On 30 September 1996 at about 15:30 local time, a Republic RC-3 registered N6103K was involved in an accident near Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

30 September 1996 at 15:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States

Nearest airport

Sante Fe County Municipal (SAF)

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Republic RC-3

Registration

N6103K

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Ferry

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Holbrook

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW96LA404

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's failure to obtain/maintain airspeed resulting in an inadvertent stall/mush. Factors were the high density altitude and the lack of suitable terrain for the landing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot/owner, who stated that he was PIC, reported a takeoff weight of 2,800 pounds and a performance climb of 290 fpm. Following gear retraction at 80 mph, the airplane encountered a 'windshear, airspeed decreased to 60 mph (stall speed 58 mph) and the airplane would not climb.' The pilot-rated passenger told the PIC that 'he was getting slow and not to stall the aircraft.' The pilot released the 'back pressure on the yoke to recover from the impending stall, but there wasn't sufficient altitude to recover level flight.' Power lines, a fence, and vehicles obstructed the forced landing area. Witnesses observed the airplane rotate, fly in ground effect, not climbing, and in a high angle of attack as it proceeded down the runway. Subsequently, the airplane was observed losing altitude and 'sort of wobbling down with a tail low attitude.' The takeoff weight was calculated to be at the maximum allowable 3,150 pounds. Density altitude was calculated at 7,600 feet. VFR weather prevailed with clear skies, 40 miles visibility, with the winds 360 degrees at 8 kts.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.