REPUBLIC RC-3 SEABEE # 452

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AIRCRAFT DATA

Franklin 6A8-215-B9F (215 HP at 2500 RPM)
S/N: 24167.

Reported to DoT, Ottawa, Ontario, by letter dated 1947-03-03:

I, George Frederick Williamson, of Victoria, B.C., had occasion to make a forced landing with the above mentioned aircraft fifteen miles northwest of Richland Center, Wisconsin.

On March 2nd, I left Madison, Wisconsin, en route to Minneapolis, Minnesota. Forty-five minutes from Madison, without warning the motor suddenly failed and I was forced to land in a grain field. Due to the frozen nature of the ground, keel was damaged in making this belly landing. At present I am waiting for a factory engineer to thoroughly inspect the aircraft before giving an estimate of any further damage, if any.

The engine failure appears to have been caused by the introduction of water or other foreign material into the fuel system. A full report will be sent to your Vancouver office after a thorough inspection by the factory engineer.

I was alone in the aircraft and suffered no injuries. The aircraft remained in a level attitude until coming to rest with one wing float on the ground.

The C.A.A., and the D.O.T. in Vancouver have been notified of all particulars.

Yours very truly
G. F. Williamson
License #620

The aircraft was returned to manufacturer Republic Aviation Corporation; Farmingdale, NY, for repairs.

On March 6thm 1947, I reported, by letter, a forced landing of Seabee CF-EJJ in Wisconsin, U.S.A. At that time I was not sure of the exact cause of the engine failure.

The factory engineer arrived on March 7th, and his inspection revealed that a small bracket, holding the mixture control near the carburetor, had broken. The mixture control was moved into full "idle cut-off" position by this breakage.

This was repaired along with a few other minor points and the aircraft was flown to Milwaukee.

After a full survey of the damage to the hull bottom, it was deemed advisable to return the aircraft to the factory for hull repairs.

The design failure that caused the broken bracket has been modified on all aircraft leaving the factory since that date, and a modification order sent to all Seabee owners, as well as being modified on this aircraft.

Hoping this covers the situation, I remain,

Yours very truly,
G. F.  Williamson

Aircraft was jacked up on wheel and permission was given for a flight to owner's base at Alert Bay for a water landing and then to Vancouver SPB for further inspections. After taking off from Port Hardy, wheels could not be retracted to full-up position due to mechanical failure. Aircraft circled for 38 minutes, before pilot had to make an emergency landing on Port Hardy runway10-28 with main wheels in a half down position.

Inspections by C. P. Airlines mechanic at Port Hardy revealed a broken clevis which connects the actuating cylinder rod of hydraulic system to main undercarriage fitting. Defective parts was replaced next day and aircraft flown back to B. C. Air Lines base at Vancouver by W. B. Sylvester, for further repairs.

1949-04-04 report by W. F. Waddington to District Inspector, Civil Aviation, Vancouver, B. C.:

Re accident of CF-EJJ, March 20th, 1949, while ferrying aircraft from Porpoise Bay to Vancouver.

I took off from Porpoise Bay at approximately 1800 hours heading for Vancouver. The weather was clear and there was as south east wind blowing of 25-30 mph. After being airborne about ten minutes I noticed a slight drop in R.P.M.'s and immediately after this the engine stopped, forcing me to ditch the aircraft in the heavy seas. This landing was made cross wind and along a larger breaker and the aircraft landed normally. It was then discovered that the engine was on fire, and while Mr. Thomas was fighting the fire I informed Vancouver Tower of the accident and then helped to extinguish the flames.

The aircraft  stopped 50 to 100 yards from shore then started to drift sea-ward. A man who witnessed the accident rowed out from shore in a rowboat and informed us that the police boat, from Gibson's Landing was coming to pick us up. We had no radio communications as the microphone was knocked overboard while extinguishing the flames. I saw, what appeared to be the police boat about an hour later and used our flares hoping he would see us but, as the seas were getting rougher he apparently turned back. I was approximately 2200 hours. After drifting 2 or 3 miles off shore, I saw the Gulf Marines passing and liable to capsize at any moment I flashed SOS signals. We were later picked up by the Mariners and taken to Sechelt. We were unable to take the aircraft in tow owning to the heavy seas.

Your truly,
W. Waddington

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