I really don't know how he lit up the left engine. There isn't much damage
to anything ahead of the accessory case, but everything between the firewall
and the rear case is burned to a crisp. Could have been a backfire though
the throttle body into the air cleaner I guess.

I was never able to buy anything from Earle but I've talked with them since
the auction, they still have several things for sale, including the E nose
STC, forms, and light & tail spring kits to complete several noses.
$10,000. Not a bad deal if you have the time, talent, and ability to layup
fiberglass and the need for at least 2 noses. I think Diamond-Aire is
getting about $6000 per nose for them now. They've also got the E tail with
the coffin door available, but that sounds like toooo much work!

Thank God that ole Grover Matthews is still going strong. But prices are
through the roof. Be careful with your nose gear, they're going for over
$6k and mains going for $3k.

Jim


"Kyler Laird" wrote in message
...
"Jim Burns" writes:

Hey Kyler... this will hit home. We just finished the annual on our
Aztec.
There is a fellow based at the airport where we had the work done that
has
trashed 3... yes THREE Aztec's in less than 6 months. Runway overrun
taking
out the gear and nose, groundlooped the second Aztec in a
crosswind/crossrunway/into the ditch maneuver taking out the gear, then
hit
a deer with the third but after it was fixed lit the left engine on fire.

How'd he fire up the engine? Was it carburated?

Talk about being hard on the used parts inventory!

It sounds like he's *supplying* the used parts inventory. I assume
the planes were salvaged.

I'm still grousing about the liquidation of Earle Aircraft. For years
I've depended on them for parts and I recently learned that they had an
auction where complete fuselages (with glass) and wings were going for
$50 to be scrapped. Ug.

--kyler