MIA00LA015

At an altitude of 6,500 feet the pilot stated that the engine began to run rough. He noticed that the rpm had decreased from 2400 to 2100 and applied carburetor heat. He executed a 180 degree turn and established a glide at 89 mph and determined the best landing site was a strip 5 to 6 miles south from point of the engine problem. He said he 'applied flaps and miss judged landing. Landing was in field 75-100 feet west of airstrip with the rows.' The airplane nosed into dirt and came to rest nose low. The terrain was level in the area with the exception of rows. The field rows were at 10-15 degree angle to the airstrip. Examination of the engine revealed, the engine appeared to have mechanical continuity, fuel, spark and compression. No apparent reason for the power loss was determined.

On October 29, 1999, about 1100 central standard time, a Cessna 172G, N1171F, registered to a private individual, impacted with the ground during a forced landing near Itta Bena, Mississippi. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged. The private-rated pilot and one passenger reported no injuries. The flight had departed from the Lexington, Mississippi Airport, en route to Lakeview, Arkansas, at 1030.

According to the pilot's statement, before the flight he had fueled "both tanks with automotive fuel (87 octane unleaded) and checked [the] sump and gascolator...." The flight was at an altitude of 6,500 feet when the engine began to run rough. According to the pilot, "...the climb to cruise altitude was normal...leveled and rechecked tank setting was on single tank (left I think) and then checked EGT to see if leaned properly...noticed that rpm had decreased from 2400 to 2100 and applied carburetor heat. Engine began to miss...executed 180 degree turn and established glide at 89 mph and determined best landing site was...strip 5 to 6 miles south of point of engine problem...circled to descend into a left downwind for landing on west end of airstrip. Pilot applied flaps and miss judged landing. Landing was in [a] field 75-100 feet west of [the] airstrip with the rows. Just prior to stopping nose gear broke off firewall 15 feet short of end of airstrip. The aircraft nosed into dirt on turn row and came to rest nose low...terrain was level in area (with exception of rows). The field rows were at 10-15 degree angle to airstrip."

According to the FAA inspector's statement, ground marks indicated the airplane had approached the field from the north to south. The initial touchdown point was "between 75 and 100 feet from the runway end." The carburetor was found "broken off at the upper mounting flange." The inspector's examination of the engine revealed, "...engine...was clean with no signs of engine damage except the carburetor being broken off...the propeller was undamaged with no sign of impact damage. The propeller was rotated through and compression...mag impulse noted for all six cylinders. The gascolator was drained no contamination or sediment noted...the gascolator...screen examined and no contaminates were noted at the screen or bowl, fuel was present...no contamination was noted inside the airbox or carburetor....upper spark plugs...all were clean and dry and appeared properly gapped. Lower plug wires were removed mag switch placed in both the engine was rotated and spark confirmed...all cylinders had compression...fuel caps (both left and right were vented) checked OK...engine appeared to have mechanical continuity, fuel, spark and compression. No apparent reason for power loss...."

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