What happened
During the initial climb phase following takeoff, the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of engine power. Recognizing the emergency, the pilot initiated a 180-degree turn to attempt a forced landing on the same runway from which they had just departed. As the aircraft descended for this maneuver, the pilot applied carburetor heat, which successfully restored partial engine power. Despite this intervention, the airplane failed to stop within the paved surface and skidded off the end of the runway during the landing roll.
The investigation
Post-incident analysis focused on the mechanical state of the aircraft and the environmental conditions at the time of the event. The pilot reported that the weather in the valley was damp and cold, conditions known to promote ice formation in carburetors. The application of carburetor heat resulting in partial power recovery confirmed that carburetor icing was the primary mechanical factor contributing to the power loss.
Findings
The sequence of events indicates a failure to maintain adequate airspeed or apply preventive measures against carburetor icing during the critical takeoff phase. The damp and cold atmospheric conditions provided the necessary environment for ice accumulation in the carburetor throat, restricting fuel-air mixture flow. While the pilot correctly identified the issue and applied heat, the timing of the intervention occurred after significant power had already been lost, limiting the ability to complete a safe landing on the available runway.