ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, DURING CRUISE FLIGHT, THE ENGINE BEGAN BACKFIRING AND WOULD ONLY PRODUCE IDLE POWER. HE WAS FORCED TO LAND ON THE FROZEN YOKON RIVER AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE AND ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE CARBURETOR FLOAT BOWL DRAIN PLUG WAS NOT INSTALLED AND COULD NOT BE LOCATED. THE AIRPLANE HAD RECEIVED AN ANNUAL INSPECTION ONLY 1.5 HOURS OF FLIGHT TIME EARLIER.