On March 7, 2000, about 1210 eastern standard time, an Aeronca
7AC, N474HH, was substantially damaged while executing a forced
landing near Pawling, New York. The certificated recreational
pilot received minor injuries, but his passenger was not
injured. Visual meteorological condition prevailed, and no
flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14
CFR Part 91.  According to the pilot, 20 minutes after departing
Robertson Field, Connecticut, and at a cruise altitude of 3,500
feet msl, the airplane's engine began to surge. The pilot did
not see an airport to execute a forced landing to, so he began
trouble shooting the problem. He switched the magnetos on and
off, and observed no change. He then applied carburetor heat,
but the engine ran even rougher so he selected carburetor heat
off. After 5 minutes of the engine running rough, the pilot
cycled the fuel selector; simultaneously he experienced a
further drop in engine power. Approximately 1,500 feet, the
pilot decided to perform an off-air