Flight and Engine Malfunction
Twenty minutes after departure, while cruising at 3,500 feet MSL, the airplane's engine began to surge. The pilot attempted to identify the problem by switching the magnetos on and off, observing no change. He then applied carburetor heat, but the engine ran even rougher, so he turned it off. After five minutes, the pilot cycled the fuel selector; simultaneously, he experienced a further drop in engine power.
Forced Landing and Impact
Unable to reach an airport, the pilot maneuvered the airplane to land in an open field. On final approach, the airplane struck trees short of the pilot's intended touchdown point and then impacted the ground.
Post-Accident Inspection
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane. Rotating the propeller yielded good compression. The inspector noted that the airplane was placarded for auto-gas only and was equipped with new magnetos, wires, and plugs. Additionally, the fuel inside the fuel tank smelled "rancid."