Accident Sequence
The aircraft was in cruise flight at an altitude of 2,000 feet when the engine suddenly lost power. The pilot reported that he immediately applied carburetor heat, but the engine did not respond. He then attempted to restore power by pumping the throttle, but the engine continued to run erratically and with reduced output.
Unable to maintain flight, the pilot initiated a forced landing. During the landing, the airplane encountered a drainage ditch. The impact caused the nose landing gear to collapse. Subsequently, the propeller and the left wing struck the ground, resulting in structural damage.
Post-Accident Examination
A post-accident examination of the aircraft's fuel system was conducted. No fuel was found in the fuel lines or in the gascolator. Only a residual amount of fuel was present in the fuel tanks. However, it was noted that a fuel line had ruptured. The amount of fuel that had drained from the fuel system due to this rupture could not be verified.