Incident Overview
A pilot reported that during a cruise climb, the aircraft's engine began to lose power. The power loss was characterized by a slow decrease in RPM, followed by a pulsing at low RPM. The pilot initiated a descent and attempted to remedy the situation by adjusting the mixture setting and applying carburetor heat. Despite these efforts, power could not be restored, and the pilot executed a forced landing in a pasture.
Collision with Ravine
During the landing ground roll, the aircraft collided with the lip of a ravine. The impact caused damage to the propeller and intake spider manifold, which were subsequently replaced.
Post-Accident Examination
An FAA airworthiness inspector examined the aircraft. Fuel was found in the fuel tanks, fuel lines, and gascolator bowl. The engine was started and operated for several minutes, reaching up to 2,000 RPM, using the airframe's fuel and ignition system components. The carburetor was disassembled, and no internal abnormalities were noted.
Damage and Repairs
The propeller and intake spider manifold were replaced due to impact damage. The engine performed normally during the post-accident ground run, indicating no internal issues with the engine or fuel delivery system at that time.