NOBLE, IL, USA
N72HQ
Q-BERRY HAWK
ABOUT 30 MIN AFTER TAKING OFF ON A LOCAL TEST FLIGHT, THE PILOT HAD ENTERED THE TRAFFIC PATTERN AND WAS PREPARING TO TURN ONTO A CROSSWIND LEG, WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. HE ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE ENGINE, BUT WAS UNABLE. HE ATTEMPTED TO GLIDE TO A RUNWAY, BUT WAS FORCED TO LAND IN A BEAN FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE MAIN GEAR ENCOUNTERED THE BEANS AND THE AIRCRAFT FLIPPED OVER. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT ABOUT 5 GAL OF FUEL WAS REMAINING IN THE FUEL TANK. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WAS FOUND. IT WAS NOTED THAT THE CARBURETOR HOSE WAS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE EXHAUST STACKS. THE PILOT BELIEVED THAT THE ENGINE LOST POWER DUE TO LACK OF FUEL, POSSIBLY FROM A VAPOR LOCK; HOWEVER, THIS WAS NOT VERIFIED.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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