ATL02LA084

Approximately 15 minutes into the personal flight, the pilot stated that the engine started sputtering. The pilot elected to perform a forced landing into a pasture, and while maneuvering for landing the airplane clipped trees and subsequently collided with trees and terrain. Examination of the airplane failed to reveal a malfunction or component failure. A review of weather data at the time of the accident revealed favorable conditions for the formation of carburetor icing.

On April 14, 2002, at 0845 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150D, N4449U, registered to and operated by the private pilot, collided with terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power in Chatsworth, Georgia. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The pilot was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated from a private strip in Crandall, Georgia, at 0830.

The pilot departed from his farm strip for a pleasure flight, planning to return at approximately 0900. The pilot said that the engine started sputtering and he decided to land in one of his pastures, rather than try to climb a ridge on the way back to his farm. While maneuvering for landing, the pilot stated he was coming in a little to fast when the airplane clipped trees, and subsequently collided with the ground.

Examination of the airplane disclosed damage to the spars on both wings, as well as additional damage to the fuselage on the left side, aft of the engine firewall and forward of the landing gear. The fuel system was not ruptured, and more than 13 gallons of fuel were present in the fuel system. A functional check of the engine was performed, using all the existing systems, while the engine was on the airframe. Witnesses to the functional check said the engine "ran beautifully." Prior to the engine failure, the pilot did not report an engine malfunction. The pilot did not report applying carburetor heat at any point during the flight. The pilot also did not report receiving a weather briefing before the flight.

Examination of the airplane failed to reveal a malfunction or component failure. A review of weather data at the time of the accident revealed favorable conditions for the formation of carburetor icing. The pilot did not report receiving a weather briefing before the flight.