Republic RC-3 accident near Coolin, Idaho, June 28, 2025
On June 28, 2025 at about 1:30 pm local time, a 1947 Republic RC-3, registered N6759K, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Coolin, Idaho (Tanglefoot airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane and exceedance of the critical angle of attack during takeoff in windy conditions which resulted in a subsequent hard landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 28, 2025 · about 1:30 pm local time
- Place
- Coolin, Idaho · Tanglefoot · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Republic RC-3, built 1947 · all RC-3s on the register
- Registration
- N6759K · registry record · serial 1047
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the amphibious airplane reported that during takeoff from a lake in windy conditions, the airplane encountered windshear, stalled, and landed hard on the water surface, which resulted in the right float to separate. A video of the accident sequence showed the airplane veer right on the water during takeoff from the lake and became airborne. Once airborne, the airplane rolled right and then left before it landed hard on the water. A short time later, the airplane became submerged under the water surface. The right wing was substantially damaged. There were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
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 control in flight during takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
- Other weather encounter during takeoff
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Windshear › Effect on operation
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Lateral/bank control › Attain/maintain not possible
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Angle of attack › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine sea; single-engine land; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 81 hours in all; 310 in this make and model
- Last flight review: May 24, 2025
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,310 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 22, 2024; 27 hours since
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IGO-480-G1A6 (piston); 1,036 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: D28 Cavanaugh Bay ID at 6:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 5,000 ft; clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observation at 1:15 pm from KSZT, 28 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KSZT 282015Z AUTO 19009KT 10SM BKN050 BKN065 BKN100 22/07 A3009 RMK AO2
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number WPR25LA198.