Incident Overview
A pilot conducting a power line patrol flight reported flying approximately 60 to 80 feet above ground level. During the flight, the pilot applied carburetor heat for about one minute. Upon turning the carburetor heat off, the engine stopped running. The pilot reapplied the heat, and the engine restarted momentarily before quitting again.
Forced Landing
Facing an engine failure, the pilot executed a forced landing on snow-covered terrain. During the landing, the aircraft nosed over. The extent of damage to the aircraft was not detailed in the report.
Examination Findings
An examination of the aircraft and engine revealed no evidence of a preimpact failure or deficiency. The ambient temperature was recorded as -4 degrees Celsius, with a dew point of -17 degrees Celsius. According to icing probability curves, carburetor icing would not be probable under those conditions.