No fatalities

21 Apr 2018: REPUBLIC RC 3 — Pelion, SC

Pelion, SC, United States

On 21 Apr 2018, a REPUBLIC RC 3 UNDESIGNAT was involved in an aviation accident near Pelion, SC. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in gusting crosswind conditions. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 9 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

During the landing roll, a tailwheel-equipped amphibious airplane veered left, exited the runway, and struck a ditch, causing substantial damage to the right wing.

Accident Details

A pilot reported that, during the landing roll of a tailwheel-equipped amphibious airplane, the aircraft veered to the left. Despite the pilot applying full right rudder, the airplane exited the left side of the runway and impacted a ditch. The impact sheared off the right main landing gear and caused the right wing to strike the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing.

The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Weather Conditions

The automated weather observation station located about 12 miles east of the airport reported that, approximately 34 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 090° at 11 knots, gusting to 15 knots. Approximately 26 minutes after the accident, the same station reported wind from 080° at 7 knots, gusting to 16 knots. The airplane had landed on runway 18.

Contributing factors

Causes

Directional control — Not attained/maintainedPilot

Other contributing factors

Effect on operation