Accident Republic RC-3 N6291K, Monday 24 September 1990

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Date:	Monday 24 September 1990
Time:	19:06 LT
Type:	Republic RC-3
Owner/operator:	Back Forty, Inc.
Registration:	N6291K
MSN:	504
Engine model:	FRANKLIN 6A8-215-B8F
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Mulberry, FL - United States of America
Phase:	En route
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:	Fort Lauderdale, FL
Destination airport:	Lakeland, FL (KLAL)
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
DURING CRUISE FLT AT 3,000 FT, 20 MILES SOUTH OF THE INTENDED DESTINATION, THE PLT REPORTED THAT SMOKE FILLED THE COCKPIT. ABOUT 1 MINUTE LATER THE ENG SEIZED. DURING THE ATTEMPTED FORCED LANDING ON A WATER FILLED PHOSPHATE PIT, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH AN EMBANKMENT SHORT OF THE PIT, NOSED OVER AND CAME TO REST INVERTED. EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THAT THE NUMBER 4 CYLINDER PISTON WAS DAMAGED CIRCUMFERENTIALLY FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. ALSO DISCOVERED WAS THE FAILURE OF THE NUMBER 5 CYLINDER CONNECTING ROD. THE ENG WAS REPORTEDLY RECENTLY OVERHAULED BUT THE LOGBOOKS WERE INSIDE THE ACFT & WERE NOT RECOVERED.

Probable Cause: AN ENGINE FAILURE WHICH REQUIRED AN EMERGENCY LANDING OFF AIRPORT.

Accident investigation: