What happened
While operating in cruise flight, the aircraft experienced a loss of engine power. The pilot observed a drop in RPM and subsequently applied carburetor heat, at which point the engine quit. The pilot performed a forced landing in a snow-covered field, during which the airplane nosed over.
The aircraft owner reported that during a flight the previous day, the engine had quit following a normal landing. At that time, fuel was observed running out of the carburetor, and tapping on the unit stopped the leak. Following that event, the owner consulted an individual who was not an aircraft mechanic. This person suggested the issue was caused by dirt in the carburetor and advised that running the engine and then shutting off the fuel would purge the debris. On the day of the accident, the pilot and the owner started the engine and shut off the fuel, allowing the engine to quit, following the advice provided.
The investigation
An inspection of the fuel system revealed no anomalies. At the time of the accident, the main fuel tank contained between six and seven gallons of fuel. A post-accident inspection of the carburetor was conducted; investigators found no anomalies that could be linked to the previously reported issue of a sticking float.