Accident Overview
On July 25, 2011, at approximately 1130 central daylight time, an Evens RV-4, registration N20JE, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain during a forced landing to a field near Monroe City, Missouri. The airline transport pilot was uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight, operating under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight, was not filed on a flight plan. The aircraft departed Eagle's Nest Estates Airport (2TS6) in Midlothian, Texas, around 0820, and was en route to Capt. Ben Smith Airfield in Monroe City, Missouri.
Pilot Account
According to the pilot, before the airplane descended to an intermediate cruise altitude, he selected carburetor heat and observed a normal decrease in engine speed. He then deselected carburetor heat and descended to 5,500 feet mean sea level (MSL). Approximately 20 minutes after the descent, the engine experienced three instances of rough running with a corresponding loss of engine power. The pilot attempted to regain engine power by switching fuel tanks, but was unsuccessful. During the approach to the destination airport, the airplane suffered a total loss of engine power. The pilot performed a forced landing to a corn field, during which the airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine firewall.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies that would have resulted in a loss of engine power.
Carburetor Icing Conditions
According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Carburetor Icing Probability Chart, a probability of carburetor icing existed at glide power for the conditions reported by the Quincy Regional Airport-Baldwin Field (UIN) automated surface observing system (ASOS). The ASOS, located about 31 nautical miles northeast of the accident site at an elevation of 769 feet MSL, recorded at 1054: temperature 86 degrees Fahrenheit and dew point 75 degrees Fahrenheit.