Incident Description
The pilot reported that while cruising at 9,000 feet, he observed the exhaust gas temperature (EGT) gauge indication dropping. The engine began to run roughly, and he noticed a fuel odor in the cabin. The carburetor air temperature gauge indicated a value 'well out of' the icing range. The pilot selected carburetor heat, but the engine did not respond. He then turned off the carburetor heat. The engine eventually lost all power. Air traffic control provided radar vectors to a nearby airport, but the aircraft crashed into trees about one mile from that airport.
Investigation Findings
A post-crash examination of the aircraft revealed no evidence of any pre-existing mechanical failure or malfunction. Two spark plugs were removed and found to be wet with fuel. During a subsequent test run, the engine developed full power.
Pilot Background
The pilot had been repeatedly advised of icing conditions in clouds and precipitation along his route of flight during both pre-flight and in-flight weather briefings. A few minutes before the power loss, he reported to a flight service station that he was in 'heavy snow.' He was not instrument flight rules (IFR) rated. Sixteen hours of his logged actual instrument time were listed as pilot-in-command (PIC).