Republic RC-3 N6518K

Summary

On 12 April 2026 at about 21:23 local time, a Republic RC-3 registered N6518K was involved in an accident near Phoenix, Arizona, United States. 3 people were on board and 3 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. No probable cause has been published yet; this accident is still under investigation.

Date

12 April 2026 at 21:23

Classification

Accident

Location

Phoenix, Arizona, United States

Coordinates

33.5144, -112.0650

Aircraft

Republic RC-3

Registration

N6518K

Category

Airplane

Year built

1947

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Laveen → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR26LA153

3 people had minor injuries.

The NTSB has not published a probable cause for this record. The investigation is still open; a final report usually follows one to two years after the accident.

Nothing about the cause is stated here that is not in the source record.

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.