ATL07LA092

According to the pilot, about 2 to 3 miles north of the runway, the engine started "sputtering," and experienced a partial loss of power. He made it back to the 2,000-foot-long turf runway, but touched down too fast and overran the runway. The pilot then pulled up to clear an embankment, the airplane stalled about 30 feet above the ground, and impacted a field nose down. Examination of the carburetor revealed that corrosion was present in and around the air and fuel jets, blocking fuel flow through the carburetor jet. Further examination found a large amount of corrosion around the carburetor's drain plug. The airplane's most recent annual inspection was completed 1 month prior to the accident; however, disassembly inspection of the carburetor was not required during an annual inspection.

On June 18, 2007, about 2030 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172, N921JR, registered to T S Equipment Leasing LLC, and operated by the certificated commercial pilot, collided with the ground during a forced landing, following a partial loss of engine power near a private airstrip in Brinson, Georgia. The pilot and passenger reported no injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight was operated as a personal flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91, and no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The local flight originated from the private airstrip at 1915, the same day.

According to the pilot, about 2 to 3 miles north of the runway, the engine started "sputtering," and experienced a partial loss of power. He made it back to the private strip, but landed too fast to stop on the 2,000-foot-long turf runway. He then pulled up to clear an embankment at the end of runway. The airplane climbed to an altitude of about 30 feet before stalling over a field. The airplane nosed down and collided into the field and nosed over inverted.

Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, found the airplane nosed over onto its back. The propeller was bent; the engine mount, nose gear, cowing and firewall were damaged. There was also damage to the left wing and lift strut. The fuselage and vertical stabilizer sustained minor damage.

On June 26, 2007, the engine was configured for an engine run, and initial attempts to start the engine resulted in the engine losing power and then quitting.

The carburetor was removed for examination. Examination and disassembly of the carburetor found corrosion in and around the air and fuel jets, blocking fuel flow. Further examination found a large amount of corrosion around the carburetor's drain plug. The airplane's most recent annual inspection was completed on May 19, 2007.

A replacement carburetor was installed on the engine. The subsequent engine run was successful and the engine was run at full power, or 2,700 rpm for 3 minutes, without a loss of power.