NTSB Factual Report

On August 25, 2001, at 1535 Pacific daylight time (PDT), a non-certified Super Quickie 2, N34DQ, sustained substantial damage during an off airport forced landing on a public road following a loss of engine power. The airplane is owned by the pilot, and was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal/pleasure flight under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91. The accident occurred near Bonney Lake, Washington. The pilot, the sole occupant of the aircraft, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The flight originated from Auburn Municipal Airport (S50), Auburn, Washington.

In a written statement, the pilot reported that as he reduced the throttle, while in a descent, the engine quit. He attempted to restart the engine without success, and elected to make an off-airport landing. He further reported that the airplane "...touched down a bit [too] hard breaking the canard..." resulting in a loss of directional control.

On October 1, 2001, personnel from the NTSB and Ellison Fluid Systems, manufacturer of the accident aircraft's carburetor, performed a post accident teardown and bench test of the carburetor. The report concluded, "Functional testing with customer's idle adjustments intact, revealed excessively lean mixture at idle, precluding stable operation below 1500 RPM. Engine operation at 2000 to 3000 RPM was normal."

The pilot reported that prior to the accident flight, he adjusted the carburetor in an effort to overcome an excessively rich mixture setting.

NTSB Probable Cause

Improper carburetor adjustment resulting in a total loss of engine power while in a descent configuration. Factors include an excessively lean mixture setting and unsuitable terrain for landing.