Downer RC-3 accident near Yelm, WA
On June 17, 2003, a Downer RC-3 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Yelm, WA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- June 17, 2003
- Place
- Yelm, WA
- Aircraft
- Downer RC-3 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 1 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 46.869°N, 122.571°W
- NTSB ID
- 20030620X00925
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On June 16, 2003, approximately 1830 Pacific daylight time, a Downer RC-3 "SeaBee" amphibious aircraft, N6723K, recently purchased and being operated by an airline transport pilot, was destroyed after impacting trees following a takeoff run at Western Airpark (92W) near Yelm, Washington. The left seat pilot-rated passenger received serious injuries, while the right seat airline transport pilot sustained fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions existed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was personal, was to have been operated under 14 CFR Part 91. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. As reported on the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB From 6120.1/2), and in an interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC), a senior NTSB investigator, and an FAA inspector, the passenger reported that he had just purchased the aircraft on the morning of the accident, and to the best of his knowledge it had not flown in a couple of years. The passenger stated that he and the right seat first pilot had agreed that the first pilot would do the flying during the repositioning flight to the first pilot's home base. The passenger further stated that while he was helping load airplane parts into a van, the first pilot was looking the airplane over, and that when he tried to start the engine, "...it started right up the first time." The passenger reported that he and the first pilot checked the fuel level and it was between 35 and 40 gallons, and that the first pilot also checked the fuel visually with a dipstick and a
Probable cause
The failure of the pilot to abort the takeoff roll. Factors contributing to the accident included the failure of the aircraft to accelerate for undetermined reasons and the trees.
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Browse: Washington
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
