Republic RC-3 SEABEE N99FJ

Summary

On 25 May 1996 at about 02:00 local time, a Republic RC-3 SEABEE registered N99FJ was involved in an accident near Ketchikan, Alaska, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

25 May 1996 at 02:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Ketchikan, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

55.6790, -132.1891

Aircraft

Republic RC-3 SEABEE

Registration

N99FJ

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC96FA079

2 people died.

the airplane crashed for undetermined reason(s).

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The tail of the airplane sank while it was parked on the beach at Eagle Lake. The pilot obtained help, and the airplane was refloated on May 24, 1996. The people who helped refloat the airplane stated the surface of Eagle Lake was 'glassy water.' The pilot indicated that he would depart the Lake immediately after the help had departed; however, the airplane did not arrive at the destination. Subsequently, evidence was found that the airplane had crashed and had sank in the lake. A sponson was found floating on the lake. Damage on the sponson showed that it had torn away from the airplane's wing, consistent with a rearward force. Also, a video tape showed airplane wreckage scattered over the bottom of the lake. According to the accident pilot's son, the airplane had a history of leaking in the tail. He stated that his father, the accident pilot, was going to purchase a new bilge pump upon arriving at Ketchikan.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.