CHI96LA248

The airplane was descending after jumpers had departed the airplane in a parachute jumping (skydiving) activity. For the descent, the pilot had reduced the power. When she attempted to increase power, she found that the engine had sustained a total loss of power. During a forced landing, the airplane hit a wire before touchdown, then nosed over in soft terrain. An examination of the carburetor revealed that it was worn beyond specifications. The engine had 2,384 hours of time in service and 224 hours since the last inspection.

On July 20, 1996, at 1000 central daylight time, a Cessna 182, N5335B, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power. The commercial pilot reported minor injuries. The airplane was conducting local parachute jumping activities under provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane was returning to the airport when the accident occurred. The pilot was the only occupant. No flight plan was on file. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight departed at 0930.

The pilot stated that while in a descent she was maintaining 15 inches of manifold pressure. When she attempted to increase power the engine "stopped." She said she conducted a forced landing to an open field. The airplane struck a wire prior to touchdown where the nose landing gear dug in the soft terrain and the airplane nosed over.

Subsequent to the accident the carburetor was examined and a visual inspection revealed excessive mixture lever wear. The wear resulted in excessive travel and binding of the lever with the cable. The throttle shaft was found worn as was the pin in the metering rod. An "o" ring on the mixture rod was missing. The valve and seat were sticking and the float adjustment was higher than specifications. The accelerator pump was worn as was the accelerator pump lever. The total time in service for the engine was 2,384 hours. The total time in service for the carburetor was not determined. The most recent inspection of the airplane was on October 1, 1995. The airplane had operated 224 hours since the inspection.