19980405046559A

(-23) Contacted at 1900 local on 04/05/98 that a PA-18-150 had been involved in an incident at 1500 local at Berkley, MA 02779. Mr. Frederic dreyer reported the following in a phone conversation with me: while in cruise flight the aircraft engine began to sputter and lose power. Throttle positioning and carb. Heat no help. The pilot Mr. F. Dreyer selected a field and landed using 40 deg. Flaps. The aircraft landed to the north on a slight up hill grade. Wx. Rpt states that the wind was from 320 @ 6 KTS. Near the top of the grade at an estimated speed of 10 to 15 mph the pilot selected to turn slightly to the left to avoid a tree line approximately 200 ft. further on. The pilot did not see the down grade between the two fields. The field grade was 1.5 to 2 ft and transitioned in a distance of about 4 ft. the aircraft was equipped with tundra tires and disc brakes positioned on the front of the brake assemblies as opposed to the rear as most commonally observed. At the intersection of the two fields the aircraft overturned, damaging the propeller, fuselage, both wings, and the vertical fin and rudder post. The incident was classified as an accident due to the damage to the a irframe. Fuel was sampled from both tanks and the gascolater, and found to be clear. The carburetor was secure and the venture was in place as well as the bleed tube. Carburetor AD had been accomplished on the last annual. The passenger Mr. William dreyer stated that he was not flying the aircraft at the time of the accident but had flown it from Kentucky to the boston area a few days previously and had experienced the same indications. He stated that the application of carburetor heat cured the problem.