N3168

On October 15, 2000, about 1748 Eastern Daylight Time, a Starduster SA-300, an amateur built airplane, N3168, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after takeoff from the Vansant Airport (9N1), Erwinna, Pennsylvania. The pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot stated that he intended to return to his home airport, Sky Manor Airport, Pittstown, New Jersey. He completed a preflight inspection of the airplane, and performed a run-up prior to departure. After departing 9N1, about 1/4 mile from the airport, the engine lost all power. The pilot performed a forced landing into trees, and did not recall any events after the impact. The pilot added that he flew the airplane earlier in the day, and did not experience any problems. He further stated that the airplane had two fuel tanks, the center and main tank. The fuel selector had four positions, "OFF," "TOP," "MAIN," and "ACRO." The pilot departed with the fuel selector in the "ACRO" position, which drained from the lowest point in the main tank. The main tank had approximately 12 gallons of fuel at the time of departure.

A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the engine. He rotated the propeller and confirmed camshaft and crankshaft continuity. He was not able to attain thumb compression on the number three and number five cylinders. The inspector stated that the number three cylinder had impact damage, but he did not know why thumb compression could not be attained on the number five cylinder. Due to impact damage, the inspector was unable to access the magnetos.

The inspector added that fuel was present in the carburetor, and he did not observe any fuel contamination. He noted that the fuel selector was in the "OFF" position, but emergency personnel stated that they moved the selector to the "OFF" position.

Several months later, the pilot performed a cursory examination on the engine. The pilot stated that he did not find any discrepancies with the engine. He added that the engine was originally manufactured in 1943. The engine was last overhauled in 1983. It had 99 hours of operation since that last overhaul.