What happened
The pilot reported conducting a standard preflight inspection and engine runup before departing from Runway 33 at the Tri-County Airport in Erie, Colorado. The takeoff proceeded normally until the aircraft reached an altitude of approximately 200 feet above ground level. At this point, the engine experienced a significant performance drop, losing roughly 400 RPM.
In response to the power loss, the pilot applied carburetor heat in an attempt to restore engine function. However, the engine subsequently quit entirely. Unable to maintain altitude or return to the airport, the pilot executed a forced landing on terrain that was not suitable for such an operation.
The investigation
The investigation relied primarily on the pilot's narrative regarding the sequence of events. No mechanical examination of the aircraft was detailed in the provided source text beyond the pilot's actions during the emergency.