N64628

On June 20, 1994, about 1504 hours eastern daylight time, N64628, a McLam Thorp T-18 homebuilt airplane, lost engine power during cruise flight and was forced landed on side of a highway at East Quogue, New York. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. The departure point was Gabreski Airport, Westhampton Beach, New York. The local flight was operated under 14 CFR Part 91.

This was the first time the airplane had been flown in about 4 years. The engine was overhauled and installed on May 31, 1994. The engine subsequently was ground operated for about 2 hours.

The airplane was about five miles east of the airport when according to the pilot: "...my engine was starting to give me problems. I attempted to land back at (the airport) but found I could not make it. I decided to land it on an open area on the Sunrise Highway, due to wooded area. I was, at this point, going west and attempted to land on the westbound shoulder. My plane engine quit and I had to land the plane on the shoulder. I avoided all vehicles and as I landed, it flipped to the right."

The National Transportation Safety Board had the aircraft examined by A&P Aircraft Maintenance Inc. of Brookhaven Airport and it was disclosed that the number four engine cylinder spark plugs were oil fouled.