Background
The pilot was conducting a test flight to evaluate cylinder head cooling ducts. The aircraft had been modified with a relief pressure valve installed in the air intake system, designed to vent supercharged air before the fuel servo when the engine was at idle.
The Incident
While flying a left base-to-final approach for runway 33 at ARR, the airplane suffered a complete loss of engine power. The pilot reported that, due to altitude constraints and limited time, he executed an emergency landing in a bean field located approximately one-quarter to one-half mile from the runway threshold. He noted that the turn to base had been extended because of traffic in the landing pattern.
Pilot Report
According to the pilot, on the accident flight the engine became flooded with fuel when the throttle was pulled back to idle. The engine subsequently quit, necessitating the forced landing. The pilot attributed the flooding to the modification of the air intake system, which allowed supercharged air to be vented during idle conditions.
Outcome
The forced landing was completed in the bean field. No further details regarding injuries or aircraft damage were provided in the source.