What happened
The pilot was conducting a sightseeing flight around local hills with a passenger. While near the accident site, the pilot performed several turns around a small dirt airstorp to observe the field before departing to the west. As the aircraft cleared a ridge line, the pilot noticed a loss of airspeed.
In an attempt to recover, the pilot manipulated the throttle and carburetor heat controls, but the engine failed to respond. The pilot attempted to turn the aircraft around to recross the ridge line and return to the dirt airstrip; however, the aircraft was at an insufficient altitude and collided with trees.
At the time of the accident, the nearest weather station reported a temperature of 85 degrees and a dew point of 46 degrees. These conditions were within the range for carburetor icing during glide or cruise power.
The investigation
Examination of the aircraft at the crash site confirmed that fuel was present in the tanks, lines, and carburetor. The engine was subsequently removed from the aircraft and placed in a test cell. During testing, the engine started and functioned through its normal power range. Magneto checks and acceleration rates were found to be normal.