Incident Overview
A pilot on an IFR flight in level cruise reported that the engine began losing power due to carburetor ice. Despite attempts to remedy the situation, the engine ultimately lost all power. The pilot declared an emergency with Albuquerque Center and was radar vectored toward Show Low Airport.
During the emergency descent, the flight was intermittently in clouds and broke out at a low altitude. The aircraft had insufficient altitude to reach the airport and landed in the only available location, a field approximately 23 miles from the airport.
Post-Landing Sequence
During the rollout, the aircraft collided with a ditch and nosed over. There were no reported injuries in the source.
Post-Accident Examination
FAA inspectors conducted a post-accident examination of the aircraft. They found that the carburetor heat box had separated from the heat muff of the exhaust system and was hanging loose in the cowling, attached only by the fabric hose. The metal band that attaches the carburetor heat box to the muff had separated. Chafing on the cowling in the area where the heat box was hanging indicated that the separation had occurred some time prior to the accident.
The last 100-hour inspection was accomplished 80 operating hours before the accident.