LLANO, TX, USA
N6441K
Downer Aircraft Industries REPUBLIC RC-3
THE PILOT WAS ON A TEST FLIGHT TO CHECK THE ENGINE IN THE AMPHIBIOUS AIRCRAFT. AS THE LANDING GEAR WAS BEING LOWERED TO LAND AT THE AIRPORT, A "POP" WAS HEARD. REPORTEDLY, THE NOISE OCCURRED WHEN THE CLEVIS ON THE ROD END OF THE RETRACT/EXTEND CYLINDER FAILED. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE GEAR WOULD NOT RETRACT OR EXTEND, BUT WAS SWINGING FREELY IN A TRAIL POSITION. HE ELECTED TO MAKE A WATER LANDING. THINKING THE GEAR WOULD TRAIL BEHIND. REPORTEDLY, THE AIRCRAFT BOUNCED ON ITS FIRST TOUCHDOWN. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE WHEELS WERE KNOCKED BACK HARD, THEN BOUNCED FULLY FORWARD AND LOCKED. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRCRAFT FLIPPED FORWARD ONTO ITS BACK.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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