Amateur-built MONO-WHEEL; EURO accident near Smith, Alabama, May 15, 1999
On May 15, 1999 at about 9:45 pm local time, a amateur-built MONO-WHEEL; EURO, registered N216JE, was substantially damaged in an accident near Smith, Alabama (Jones Lite Aviation airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 15, 1999 · about 9:45 pm local time
- Place
- Smith, Alabama · Jones Lite Aviation · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built MONO-WHEEL; EURO MONO-WHEEL
- Registration
- N216JE · no longer on the register · serial A41
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to witnesses, shortly after takeoff a loud 'bang' was heard and the airplane nosed down into the ground. According to the pilot, the engine lost partial power and while climbing to clear power lines, the aircraft stalled and nosed down into a tree and subsequently the ground. A FAA Inspector on-scene stated that examination of the wreckage found that the engine had impacted the tree directly at the propeller, cracking the crankcase, and substantially damaging both wings and the cockpit. Weather conditions at the time of the accident were favorable for the formation of induction system icing.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 300 hours in all; 90 in this make and model; 5 in the last 90 days; 260 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 90 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, May 14, 1999; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,300 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Subaru EA81 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PVT at 9:45 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0, 2,000 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 9:50 pm from MCN, 74 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.