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.