What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
(-23) On may 17, 2000, at 1158 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt MA-18, N218MA, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following an engine failure in Mt. Lebanon, PA. A review of the maintenance records found the required 12 month inspection was not completed; however, the aircraft was issued a ferry permit for this flight. A control continuity check was satisfactory. During de-fueling, it was noted that less than one gallon of fuel was drained from the left tank. On may 18, 2000, I continued my inspection and found that the engine ran satisfactory. The pilot reported that he switched tanks when he lost power.
As the FAA filed it
(-23) ON MAY 17, 2000, AT 1158 EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME, A HOMEBUILT MA-18, N218MA, WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING A FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING AN ENGINE FAILURE IN MT. LEBANON, PA. A REVIEW OF THE MAINTENANCE RECORDS FOUND THE REQUIRED 12 MONTH INSPECTION WAS NOT COMPLETED; HOWEVER, THE AIRCRAFT WAS ISSUED A FERRY PERMIT FOR THIS FLIGHT. A CONTROL CONTINUITY CHECK WAS SATISFACTORY. DURING DE-FUELING, IT WAS NOTED THAT LESS THAN ONE GALLON OF FUEL WAS DRAINED FROM THE LEFT TANK. ON MAY 18, 2000, I CONTINUED MY INSPECTION AND FOUND THAT THE ENGINE RAN SATISFACTORY. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE SWITCHED TANKS WHEN HE LOST POWER.
NTSB investigation
The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.