The Gold Duster

The original Gold Duster, tail number N363J, was an Acroduster Too—serial number 363—and the first of its kind to feature spring aluminum landing gear, replacing the traditional bungee system commonly used on Pitts biplanes. Originally designed in the late 1970s, the Acroduster Too SA750 is a two-seat tandem experimental biplane built for unlimited competition aerobatics, capable of withstanding +/-9G’s. As with all homebuilt aircraft, no two are exactly the same—each carries the unique fingerprints of its builder, and that individuality is one of the true beauties of experimental aviation. N363J was originally powered by a 200 horsepower Lycoming IO-360-A1B6 and a two-blade Hartzell aluminum prop. In 2005, the engine was overhauled and bumped up to 215 horsepower, and the prop was upgraded to an MT three-blade composite prop, which dramatically improved the airplane’s performance and responsiveness. The airplane was built by James McKeehan in California and received its airworthiness certificate in 1981. It was purchased in 1999 by Frank and Kevin Gorham—my grandfather and father. From 1999 to 2008, the Gold Duster was flown in aerobatic competitions, used to give rides, and enjoyed simply for the thrill of flying. My father, Kevin, was an A&P, IA, and private pilot with a passion for aerobatics. The Duster was his pride and joy, and it became a symbol of the joy he found in aviation. In June of 2008, the Gold Duster was involved in a fatal accident during a tailslide maneuver. An improperly installed aileron bellcrank stop caused the bellcranks to overtravel and bend, resulting in a total loss of aileron control. The aircraft entered an unrecoverable inverted spin. My father was able to instruct his passenger to bail out—who survived—but he did not make it out. The Duster impacted a heavily wooded area north of Panama City in an inverted attitude, suffering catastrophic structural damage. After the investigation was complete, the wreckage was disassembled and scrapped.