N86LM

On May 7, 1996, about 1805 central daylight time, a Merle Musson Cozy, N86LM, nosed over during a forced landing at Covingtion, Tennessee. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan was not filed for the personal, local flight. The private pilot had minor injuries, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight originated about 30 to 40 minutes prior to the accident at the Covington Municipal Airport, Covington, Tennessee.

According to the pilot, he was conducting a post maintenance check flight following the replacement of the carburetor about 4 days prior to the accident. After flying above the airport about 40 minutes with no discrepancies, he entered the landing pattern. During the go-around of a touch and go landing, the engine quit about 150 feet above the ground. The airplane was landed in a wet, muddy field which resulted in a nose over at touchdown.

The airworthiness inspector who examined the airplane reported during a telephone conversation on May 13, 1996, that the fuel strainer was found clogged with a foreign material that apparently came from the fuel system.