N4JZ

On July 10, 2024, about 1230 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Long-EZ, N4JZ, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Thomasville, Georgia. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot stated that he was flying at 11,500 ft mean sea level (msl) maneuvering around weather when he was forced to descend “very quickly” to 3,500 ft msl to remain clear of clouds. When the airplane reached 3,500 ft msl, it began to “violently shake” and then experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot slowed the airplane to best glide airspeed and attempted to reach the Thomasville Regional Airport (TVI), Thomasville, Georgia; however, he was unable to reach the airport and performed a forced landing in a field. After exiting the airplane, the pilot observed that about three-quarters of one of the wooden propeller blades was missing, along with a section of lower engine cowling. Two engine mounts were also “perfectly” sheared off at the firewall.

The airplane was recovered for further examination.