20000811040879A

(-23) The pilot was circling to land a Private air strip at approximately 150 feet AGL when the engine lost power. Due to the aircraft altitude of 150 feet AGL. The pilot was unable to land at the Private airstrip and attempted to make an emergency landing on a dirt road adjacent to a corn field. As the aircraft was about to touch down on the dirt road, the left wing struck a metal pole causing the aircraft to divert and crash into the corn field. (.4) during an emergency landing the left wing of the airplane struck an irrigation standpipe, and the airplane was destroyed in a post impact fire. The pilot reduced the power to descend and circle to land at a dirt airstrip. When he advanced the throttle to arrest the airplane's descent there was no corresponding power increase. He conducted the emergency procedures, but was unable to restart the engine. He overflew the airstrip and attempted an emergency landing in a cornfield. Review of the airplane's power plant logbook revealed that an overhauled engine had been installed on the experimental airplane in March 1999. The last entry was December 8, 1999, when the engine was test ran, and the fuel injection system was adjusted according to manufacturer's specifications. No further entries were found in the airframe or power plant logbooks. During the engine examination the throttle valve was found jammed in the closed position. Investigators also found the idle speed stop screw backed off from the throttle shaft arm about 1/8 inch. No further mechanical anomalies were noted.