Republic RC3 accident near Post Oak, Missouri, August 30, 2016
On August 30, 2016 at about 1:55 pm local time, a 1947 Republic RC3, registered N6490K, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute near Post Oak, Missouri. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A partial loss of engine power due to low cylinder compression. Contributing to the loss of engine power was rust formation in the cylinders due to inactivity.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 30, 2016 · about 1:55 pm local time
- Place
- Post Oak, Missouri · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Republic RC3, built 1947 · all RC3s on the register
- Registration
- N6490K · registry record · serial 752
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The private pilot was conducting a local flight when the airplane's engine started to lose power. The pilot attempted a forced landing to a field; however, the airplane collided with trees. Examination of the airplane's engine noted that compression was low in all cylinders, and rust was present inside the cylinders. The airplane was not operated for about 4 years and had flown about 2 hours since being returned to service. The partial loss of engine power is consistent with a degradation in cylinder compression, and it is likely that rust formed in the engine during the time the airplane was not being used.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (partial) during enroute defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during enroute
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Fatigue/wear/corrosion
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Scheduled/routine maintenance › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 2,730 hours in all; 109.4 in this make and model; 10 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: September 15, 2015
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 10, 2016
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Franklin (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Post Oak MO
- Destination: Post Oak MO
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 070° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 30.14 inHg
- Observation at 1:55 pm from KGLY
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on December 28, 2016. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Inspector Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Weather Reports and Records | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.