What happened
On August 6, 2025, at approximately 15:52 CDT, a Stolp Starduster SA300, registration N983AM, was involved in an accident near Marshall, Arkansas. The aircraft was being operated as a personal flight under 14 CFR Part 91.
The pilot had purchased the aircraft earlier that day and completed six takeoff and landing cycles before departing Smith Field Airport (SLG) in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, destined for Classic Airstrip (23AR) in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Prior to departure, the pilot replenished both the 27-gallon main tank and the 17-gallon auxiliary tank, totaling 44 gallons of fuel.
Approximately 40 minutes into the flight, the aircraft suffered a sudden and total loss of power. The pilot attempted to restore power by adjusting the throttle and switching between fuel tanks, but these actions were unsuccessful. The pilot subsequently performed an off-airport landing in a field. During the landing sequence, the right wing struck a fence post, causing the aircraft to flip and come to rest inverted. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot was not injured.
The investigation
The aircraft was retained for further examination.