Amateur-built T51 N332BC accident near Lake Wales, Florida

Probable cause

A partial loss of engine power due to the carburetor not being secured to its mounting pad.

NTSB analysis

The pilot of the amateur-built airplane stated he was in cruise flight at 700 feet when the engine appeared to reduce to idle power. He pulled the throttle back initially, and then applied power, and the engine appeared to respond to the throttle application. The pilot began maneuvering for a forced landing to a highway, but during the process the engine reduced to idle power again, requiring the pilot to land in a field instead. On touchdown, the main landing gear separated and the airplane came to rest in a nose-down position. Examination of the engine revealed that the carburetor was loose from its mounting pad, which could result in a partial or total loss of engine power. The owner of the airplane stated that the last condition inspection on the airplane was completed about 1 year prior to the accident and that he did not verify that the carburetor was properly installed.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA09LA221 for the full record.