Circumstances
A private pilot was operating in conditions of freezing fog and haze, which reduced the visibility to three miles. The pilot decided to turn back to the intended landing area. During the turn, the engine began to run rough. The pilot applied carburetor heat, but the engine became rougher and its power output decreased to partial power.
Forced Landing and Damage
Faced with reduced engine power, the pilot selected a ridge in rough terrain as a landing site and executed a forced landing. Upon touchdown, the tail of the aircraft lifted, and the airplane nosed over. The accident resulted in structural deformation of the vertical stabilizer, elevator, wings, cowling, and firewall.
Postaccident Engine Run
After the accident, an engine run was conducted. The engine operated normally and ran for five minutes without any reported anomalies.