20051019032359A

(-23) During cruise flight the engine quit suddenly and unexpectedly. The pilot applied carburetor heat, checked his fuel gauge, which showed 5 PSI and turned on the electric fuel pump and switched to another fuel tank. All had no effect. The pilot found the Summersville Airport on his GPS and changed direction towards that airport. The pilot was able to maintain 2000 RPM on the engine by pumping the primer handle in and out. The pilot landed the aircraft long and fast and was unable to stop the aircraft from traveling past the end of the runway and sliding down a hill where it flipped over and came to rest near the airport perimeter chain link fence. Fuel pressure was found to the carburetor inlet. The inlet screen was clear. The float bowl was full of fuel but there was a piece of black material in the float bowl. The accelerator pump functioned normally. When the carburetor was disassembled and the float actuated and released, the needle valve did not return to the open position. Air could not be forced through the carburetor after the needle valve stuck in the closed position. No debris, scoring or burrs were found on the needle or needle seat. After several actuations of the needle valve it would no longer get stuck.