MINERAL WELLS, WV, USA
N76898
Cessna 120
During climb-out from a go-around, at about 125 feet, the engine began to sputter. The pilot pulled out carburetor heat, and then pushed it in. The engine lost power and the pilot headed for a nearby field. On final approach the airplane's right wing tip struck a power line, cartwheeling the airplane on to the ground. The fuel lines, fuel vents, magnetos, timing, compression, valve continuity, spark plugs, induction system, and other miscellaneous items were examined. The fuel inlet screen in the carburetor was found broken and deformed. Small pieces of this fuel screen were found in the float bowl and the main jet.
On October 4, 1997, at 0950 Eastern Daylight Time, a Cessna 120, N76898, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near the Scott Field Airport, Mineral Wells, West Virginia. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated at Scott Field, about 0925. No flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, when he arrived at the airport, he changed the oil in the airplane's engine, and then departed runway 04 on a local flight. When he returned after about a 25 minute flight, he flew an approach to runway 04. While on final approach, the pilot decided that the approach was high and added power to go-around. During the climb out, at about 125 feet, the engine began to sputter. The pilot pulled out the carburetor heat control, and then pushed it back in. The engine stopped. The pilot performed a forced landing to a nearby field, but on approach the right wing tip contacted a power line, cartwheeled to the ground. According to the written report of a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector who examined the wreckage: "Fuel lines, fuel vents, magnetos, timing, compression, valve continuity, spark plugs, induction system and other miscellaneous items were examined. The only noteworthy find was that the fuel inlet screen in the carburetor was found broken and deformed. Small pieces of this fuel screen were found in the float bowl and the main jet. It appears that this blockage in the carburetor main jet caused an interruption in the fuel to the engine." The pilot had accumulated approximately 306 total flight hours, of which 201 hours were in make and model.
A loss of engine power to a blockage in the carburetor resulting in fuel starvation.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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