Amateur-built E75 accident near Show Low, Arizona, May 7, 2006
On May 7, 2006 at about 3:00 pm local time, a amateur-built E75, registered N5263N, was substantially damaged in an accident near Show Low, Arizona (Show Low airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the collapse of the air intake duct resulted in a loss of engine power. A factor was the uneven terrain in the landing area.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 7, 2006 · about 3:00 pm local time
- Place
- Show Low, Arizona · Show Low · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built E75
- Registration
- N5263N · no longer on the register · serial 75-5463
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane sustained damage during an off airport forced landing following a loss of engine power in the takeoff initial climb. The pilot reported that the engine start and run-up were normal, and he flew off at 65 mph. The airplane climbed to 300 to 400 feet, and he pulled the propeller back for noise abatement. He noticed that the airspeed was low, so he lowered the nose, checked the trim, throttle, mixture, and made sure that the magneto switch was on both. He pushed the propeller control full forward, but the airplane was still not climbing. He maintained altitude, airspeed, and heading. He wanted to make sure that he cleared power lines and buildings at the departure end of the runway. He hoped to gain enough airspeed and lift to reach alfalfa fields, or make a slow turn back to the airport. The engine failed to generate enough power to maintain flight, and the situation became worse the longer he was airborne. With diminishing altitude and airspeed, he became concerned about a possible stall/spin. He slowly banked toward a field, and pushed the nose over to maintain airspeed. He landed in terrain about 300 yards from the airport. The landing gear separated and the lower wings sustained substantial damage. The FAA inspector who supervised the post accident wreckage examination reported that there was a patch around the air intake duct. After lifting the patch partially off, he noted that the duct's inner support wire had collapsed. The duct collapsed inward as well. He opined that this restricted the air flow, and enriched the fuel mixture, which resulted in the loss of power.
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: 627 hours in all; 41 in this make and model; 48 in the last 90 days; 37 in the last 30 days; 515 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 1, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,100 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 1, 2005; 51 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,212 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-14B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SOW Show Low AZ at 2:59 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 24, 7,200 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observation at 2:50 pm from SOW
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.