What happened
The pilot initiated takeoff and climbed to approximately 3000 feet before leveling off. At this altitude, he experienced a partial loss of engine power. In an attempt to resolve the issue, the pilot applied carburetor heat; however, this action resulted in a further reduction of power rather than a recovery.
The pilot determined that there was insufficient altitude remaining to allow enough time for any potential ice within the carburetor to melt and restore normal engine operation. Consequently, an off-airport forced landing was executed in a nearby wooded area.
The investigation
Following the accident, maintenance personnel conducted a test run of the airplane's engine. The inspection revealed no apparent mechanical defects or irregularities that would explain the power loss under normal operating conditions.