Jobe's TE-1 N6EZ

Summary

On 6 September 1998 at about 16:35 local time, a Jobe's TE-1 registered N6EZ was involved in an accident near Alamogordo, New Mexico, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

6 September 1998 at 16:35

Classification

Accident

Location

Alamogordo, New Mexico, United States

Nearest airport

Alamogordo-White Sands Re (ALM)

Coordinates

32.8808, -105.9502

Aircraft

Jobe's TE-1

Registration

N6EZ

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Murrieta/Temecu

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW98LA385

1 person was seriously injured.

The improper maintenance procedures (failure to preserve the engine during numerous storage periods over 30 days) and the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing. Factors were the pilot's lack of experience in type of aircraft and the high density altitude weather conditions.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot had just purchased the airplane (2 hours flight experience in make and model; total flight time 118 hours) and was departing Alamogordo (elevation 4,197 feet; density altitude 6,741) for the cross-country trip home to California. The pilot reported that he performed a 'long engine run-up' and that the airplane 'lost power right after takeoff.' The airplane came to rest approximately 480 feet from the runway in rough, high vegetated terrain. The takeoff had been attempted at a weight of 1,431 pounds, and the designer recommended a maximum takeoff weight of 1,325 pounds. The engine was 29 years old with numerous time periods of storage with no documentation of preservation or overhaul according to manufacturer's recommendations. The engine was examined at the factory and the pistons revealed worn rings, heavy blow-by signatures, and scuffing on the piston skirts. The #3 piston had a record of low compression and exhibited black carbon deposits on top.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.