REPUBLIC RC-3 SEABEE # 896

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AIRCRAFT DATA

Report to District Inspector, Air Regulations, Montréal, dated July 25, 1947:

Dear Sir,

Re report by telegram concerning damage to aircraft Sea-Bee CF-FSF. I explain the accident as follows: Taking-off from clear of two thousand feet (2000) pointing North. Wind conditions: Westerly, gusty, varying to S.W. and N.W. very unstable. Direction of take-off North. Short trees at the end of take-off path.

To the best of my knowledge, after the aircraft was off the ground the wind turned suddenly to S.W. Being low and the ground speed being greatly increased by wind from behind I did not have enough space to completely clear the trees, and as a result the wheels and hull touched breaking one tree; that reduced airspeed and aircraft lost height and undercarriage caught wire fence.

After that, the airspeed was so greatly reduced that the aircraft could not regain flying speed quickly enough in the short space left. I then decided to make emergency landing in infield of a race track ahead. After touching ground at high speed I cough wing on tree to kill speed and save hull (fuselage) from greater damage. Aircraft then swung to right and came to a stop after approximately one hundred and fifty feet (150).

After inspection I report damage as follows:

RIGHT WING: Wing complete with control surfaces; Wing float and strut assembly.; Fairing Lower on wing lift strut; Fairing wing root to cabin.

LEFT WING: Wing complete except flap; Strut for wing float; Wing lift-strut fitting on hull.

LANDING GEAR: Left hand oleo leg.

CABIN: Aft right hand window.

HULL: Slight push-in front of hull at water-line.

To the best of my knowledge, this is the damage to the aircraft.

Hoping this covers required report.

I am yours truly
J. O. Tremblay (signed)

N.B. Pictures sent on next delivery.
Date and hour of accident: July 24th. 15.00.

Please be advised that the prior to the sale of this machine to Curtiss-Reid Flying Service Limited via the Insurance Company, La Tuque Air Service had permanently withdrawn the aircraft from service. Although formal notification was not received in this office, it is assumed that La Tuque Air Service took for granted that official notification was unnecessary since the accident in which the aircraft was damaged, resulted in a Department of Transport Board of Enquiry.
...
The hull and wings of the aircraft have been abandoned on the side of the lake where it crashed. In this connection, you are referred to the Board of Enquiry's Report submitted to Headquarters under cover of our letter of November 2, 1948.

J. P. Fournier
for District Controller, Air Sevices.

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