Accident Sequence
About 43 minutes after departure on a cross-country flight, the airplane's engine began to sputter and subsequently lost power. The pilot's attempts to restart the engine proved unsuccessful. He then initiated a forced landing to a nearby field. During the approach, the left wing struck a tree, and the airplane collided with the ground, bursting into flames.
Post-Accident Examination
A post-accident examination of the airplane revealed continuity from the engine power quadrant to the carburetor. The fuel screen in the carburetor was free of debris. The needle valve in the carburetor remained attached to the float and was found to be binding in the needle valve seat. The carburetor bowl was undamaged and free of debris.
Weather Conditions
Weather conditions at the time of the accident were favorable for the formation of carburetor icing. The pilot reported that he did not apply carburetor heat until after the loss of engine power.
Additional Information
The investigation did not specify the aircraft type, registration, operator, date, location, or number of occupants. No further details regarding injuries or damage extent were provided in the source material.