19981031031179A

(.19)On October 31, 1998, about 1335 central standard time, a Ercoupe 415-C, N99924, registered to an individual, collided with a power line and crashed in a field while making a forced landing following loss of engine power at Hartselle, Alabama, while on a title 14 CFR part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the private-rated pilot received minor injuries. The flight originated form roundtree field, Hartselle, Alabama, a few minutes before the accident. The pilot reported to an FAA inspector that modification work had been preformed on the aircraft. He was performing a test flight and was on the downwind leg for a visual approach to land. The engine lost power and while making a forced landing the aircraft collided with a power line and then crashed in a field. (.4) the engine lost power as the pilot turned onto the downwind leg for landing. As the pilot approached a field for landing, the aircraft collided with a power line and then the ground. Postcrash examination of the engine showed it was operating with an excessive rich fuel mixture. The carburetor float was found stuck in the full needle valve open position due to excessive solder on the float fulcrum contacting the bowl wall. The carburetor had been recently modified by installing a new style needle valve, which also required the addition of weight to the float fulcrum with solder. (-23) pilot was flying in the pattern down wind at the Hartselle airport for approximately 45 minutes. He completed two take off and landings before the aircraft lost power. He clipped the power line and made a hard landing in a field off the airport. Aircraft had substantial damage to the firewall area, including buckling to the fuselage skin. The nose wheel fork was bent and twisted and the nose wheel steering link was broken. Pilot suffered back injuries and was released from the hartsell emergency room on 10/31/98.