What happened
During maneuvers in the vicinity of a private airstrip, the pilot reported that the aircraft engine briefly ran rough before experiencing a complete engine failure. Following the loss of power, the aircraft descended through trees during an attempt at an emergency landing. The aircraft eventually came to rest in a creek.
The investigation
Post-accident investigations into the engine revealed no evidence of any pre-existing mechanical difficulties. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were characterized by a temperature of 81 degrees and a dewpoint of 60 degrees, which are conditions conducive to the formation of moderate to serious carburetor ice. The investigation found no evidence that the pilot had applied carburetor heat or attempted any other emergency restart procedures.