Aircraft Forced Landing After Fuel Gauge Anomaly and Carburetor Blockage (N6024M)

Flight and Emergency Return The pilot departed the airport with approximately 75 gallons of fuel and flew about 19 miles to a spray location. About 45 minutes into the flight, the pilot observed that the fuel quantity gauge was decreasing at a higher-than-normal rate and decided to return to the airport. Eight miles from the airport, the aircraft began to lose power, prompting the pilot to initiate a forced landing in an open field. During the landing roll, the aircraft struck a lava bed, resulting in substantial damage to the aircraft. ## Post-Accident Findings An FAA inspector examined the aircraft and reported no evidence of fuel in the fuel tanks and no signs of a preexisting fuel leak. A post-accident inspection of the carburetor revealed that the mixture control back-suction bleed tube in the carburetor bowl assembly was plugged. According to the carburetor's certificate holder, such a blockage would result in a rich mixture situation. The normal fuel consumption for this aircraft is 32 to 35 gallons per hour.