Flight Details
A local area personal flight departed from Sierra Vista Airport with the purpose of practicing takeoffs and landings. According to the pilot's account, the aircraft was climbing out after completing the fourth touch-and-go maneuver when the engine began to run rough and subsequently lost power. The pilot attempted to address the power loss but was unsuccessful.
Accident Sequence
While trying to return to the runway, the aircraft collided with trees approximately 200 feet short of the runway. The impact occurred as the pilot maneuvered back toward the airport following the engine failure.
Weather Conditions
The aviation weather observation taken at Sierra Vista, Arizona, at the time of the accident recorded a temperature of 52 degrees Fahrenheit and a dew point of 47 degrees Fahrenheit. A review of a carburetor icing probability chart indicated that these temperature and dew point values fall within an area classified as "serious icing -- cruise or climb power."