CEN22LA027

The pilot reported that, while operating in the airport traffic pattern, the engine lost total power and he performed a forced landing, during which the airplane impacted fence poles and sustained substantial damage. Examination revealed that when the fuel valve was turned on, fuel ran continuously through the carburetor and out the bottom of the engine. Examination of the carburetor float assembly revealed a detached pontoon, which likely resulted in the loss of engine power due to excess fuel/flooding. The detached pontoon was an older brass style that was subject to service bulletins for replacement due to a history of mechanical failures.

On October 30, 2021, about 1437 central daylight time, a Bellanca 7ECA airplane, N86612, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near LaPorte, Texas. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that, while operating in the airport traffic pattern, the engine lost power and did not respond after he applied full throttle and carburetor heat. The pilot performed a forced landing during which the airplane impacted fence poles, which resulted in damage to both wings. Examination of the airplane revealed that when the fuel valve was turned on, fuel ran continuously through the carburetor and out of the bottom of the engine. The carburetor was removed and shipped to a repair facility, where it was determined that a pontoon had detached from the carburetor’s float assembly arm. Without a pontoon attached to the float assembly arm, excess fuel/flooding was possible in the float chamber. The detached pontoon was an older brass style that was subject to service bulletins for replacement due to a history of mechanical failures.