# NTSB LAX94LA168: Fighter Rebuilders F-2G, N31518, Mesa, AZ, March 19, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 19, 1994, 14:02 local (21:02 UTC)
- Place: Mesa, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.390071, -111.710739 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3901&lon=-111.7107&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28700
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA168
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28700/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA168

## Probable cause

the airplane sustained a total loss of power and an in-flight fire for undetermined reasons.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Fire, climb
  - fuselage - fire (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS PARTICIPATING IN AN UNLIMITED CATEGORY AIR RACE WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SMOKE AND RUN ROUGH.  THE PILOT CLIMBED THE AIRPLANE TO SET-UP FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING, BUT THE AIRPLANE CAUGHT FIRE.  THE PILOT BAILED OUT AND WAS STRUCK BY THE LEFT HORIZONTAL STABILIZER.  THE ENGINE DISINTEGRATED ON IMPACT.

## Factual narrative

On March 19, 1994, at 1402 hours mountain standard time, a Fighter Rebuilders F-2G (aka Corsair), N31518, crashed in an open field at Mesa, Arizona.  The pilot was participating in a local visual flight rules unlimited category air race.  The airplane, registered to and operated by Fighter Rebuilders, Chino, California, was destroyed.  The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries.  None of the spectators were injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The flight originated at Williams Gateway Airport, Mesa, Arizona, at 1332 hours.

Mr. Wayne McKinney, Aviation Safety Inspector, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Scottsdale [Arizona] Flight Standards District Office, was present at the air race when the accident occurred.  McKinney reported that while participating in the air race the engine "exploded."  The pilot could climb the airplane to a sufficient altitude, and bailed out.  The airplane disintegrated on impact.

The operator submitted a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2.  The pilot stated in the report that during the race the engine began smoking and was running rough.  He immediately executed a climb to set up for an emergency landing.   During the climb, the airplane became engulfed in fire.  When the airplane reached sufficient altitude, the pilot bailed out.  The pilot sustained injuries when he struck the airplane's left horizontal stabilizer.

The engine disintegrated on impact and could not be examined.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N31518](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N31518), registered now, S/N 0020, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: FIGHTER REBUILDERS F-2G
- Registry model: [Fighter Rebuilders GOODYEAR-REBUILDER](https://openairdocs.org/model/fighter-rebuilders-goodyear-rebuilder) (registry code 3870603) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-4360](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-4360) (registry code 52120, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: P&W R-4360-63 reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: Fighter Rebuilders
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: IWA
- Airport: IWA, Williams Gateway

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 2,100 total, 100 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19940319005959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940319005959A), Mar 19, 1994: Goodyr F2G, Mesa, AZ, Destroyed. Engine exploded during air race. During climb to eject F2G was engulfed in flames. Pilot struck tail during eject.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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