Incident Overview
While in cruise flight, the pilot noticed a decrease in engine RPM. He switched fuel tanks and applied carburetor heat. The pilot reported that the only action that provided any improvement was moving the throttle in and out. However, the engine did not regain power, leading the pilot to attempt a forced landing in a pasture. The aircraft impacted the ground during this landing.
Post-Accident Examination
The engine was removed from the aircraft and placed on a test stand. It was run using all original parts except the carburetor, which had sustained impact damage and had its throttle valve separated from the carburetor body. The engine test run revealed no discrepancies.
Carburetor Inspection
Disassembly of the carburetor showed that the gasket was dry and in pieces. Additionally, no fuel was found in the carburetor bowl.