Pilot Forced Landing After Engine Failure Due to Carburetor Icing (N8845W)

What happened

The private pilot was operating a light aircraft on a flight that included a reduced power descent phase. The atmospheric conditions were conducive to the formation of carburetor icing, yet the pilot did not apply carburetor heat during this segment of the flight. As the descent continued, the engine lost power unexpectedly. In response to the failure, the pilot engaged the carburetor heat control in an effort to restore engine function and attempted to restart the engine. The attempt was unsuccessful, necessitating a forced landing. The aircraft was landed in an open field but subsequently collided with trees located at the edge of the clearing.

Findings

The investigation determined that the primary factor leading to the accident was the failure to use carburetor heat during conditions favorable for icing. This omission resulted in carburetor icing, which caused a loss of engine power. The inability to restart the engine left the pilot with no option other than a forced landing, which ultimately ended in a collision with terrain obstacles.