Incident Overview
A pilot was en route to Savannah, Georgia when he reported a reduction in engine power while cruising at an altitude of 5,000 feet. In an attempt to restore full engine power, the pilot changed the mixture setting and applied carburetor heat. However, these actions did not halt the power reduction, and the engine continued to lose power until sustained powered flight became impossible.
Forced Landing
The pilot conducted a forced landing to an open field. During the ground roll following touchdown, the aircraft rolled through a fence, crossed a road, and ultimately collided with a second fence. The impact with the second fence caused the airplane to flip inverted.
Post-Accident Examination
A thorough examination of the wreckage disclosed no mechanical failure or system malfunction that could account for the power loss. However, according to the icing probability curve, weather conditions near the accident site were favorable for the formation of carburetor ice.