Amateur-built F-2G accident near Mesa, Arizona, March 19, 1994
On March 19, 1994 at about 9:02 pm local time, a amateur-built F-2G, registered N31518, was destroyed in an accident near Mesa, Arizona (Williams Gateway airport). It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the airplane sustained a total loss of power and an in-flight fire for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 19, 1994 · about 9:02 pm local time
- Place
- Mesa, Arizona · Williams Gateway · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built F-2G
- Registration
- N31518 · registry record
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,100 hours in all; 100 in this make and model; 2,000 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 11,000 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: P&W R-4360-63 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: IWA at 8:32 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 6,000 ft
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.