Republic RC-3 — registry & accident history
Compiled from FAA & NTSB records · as of Jul 21, 2026
There are 859 Republic RC-3 airframes on record (built 1940–1962), 123 currently registered. 12 have one or more NTSB accident records (12 records total, 2 with a fatal highest-injury classification). Data as of Jul 21, 2026.
Recent Republic RC-3 accidents
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.
The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during the takeoff with a gusty left quartering crosswind.
The pilot’s inadequate preflight fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in gusting crosswind conditions.
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.
Improper installation of a fuel line by unknown personnel, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during initial climb due to fuel starvation.
The total loss of engine power due to the fatigue failure of the k-pin associated with the No. 1 cylinder.