What happened
The accident occurred shortly after the aircraft departed from an ice-covered lake. During the initial climb, the engine lost power. To avoid entering the water of the adjacent ocean, the pilot executed a turn. This maneuver resulted in the airplane stalling and impacting the ice surface.
The investigation
Post-acc examination by the Federal Aviation Administration revealed significant contamination within the fuel system. Investigators found that water remained in the gas bowl and inside the carburetor. Additionally, debris identified as dead bugs was discovered in the elbow of the fuel line.
Findings
The pilot reported using carburetor heat prior to takeoff. The presence of water and foreign object debris in the fuel system indicates a failure to prevent or remove contamination before flight. The combination of engine power loss and the subsequent stall during the avoidance maneuver led to the impact with the ice.
Safety message
Proper preflight inspection and maintenance are critical to removing water and debris from fuel systems, especially when operating in environments where carburetor icing or contamination is a risk.