Incident Overview
A non-rated pilot was conducting a local flight to survey a water well drilling operation. According to the pilot's account, he circled the area at an indicated altitude of 500 feet. After completing the survey, he initiated a climb, during which the engine lost power. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft stalled and entered a spin. The pilot was able to stop the spin and level the wings, but the aircraft impacted the ground.
Witness Accounts
The passenger and two ground witnesses provided information that generally agreed with the pilot's account. However, one ground witness offered a differing estimate of the sequence. This witness estimated that the aircraft had descended to about 50 feet above ground level (AGL) prior to the power loss, and that the engine lost power after the airplane had climbed to approximately 100 feet AGL. The elevation of the area was approximately 190 feet.
Aircraft Examination
Post-accident examination found no preimpact mechanical failure except for a crack in the wire of the mixture control cable. The crack extended approximately three-quarters of the way through the wire.
Weather and Icing Conditions
At Memphis, Tennessee, the recorded temperature and dew point at 1551 CDT were 86°F and 55°F, respectively. According to icing probability charts, carburetor icing could have occurred at or below rated power under those conditions.