Accident Details
During cruise flight at an altitude of 600 feet above the ground, the airplane experienced a complete loss of engine power. The pilot selected a field ahead for a forced landing, touching down at a speed between 50 and 60 miles per hour. After touchdown, applying the brakes caused the airplane to slide. It subsequently crossed a road, struck trees, and came to rest in a creek bed. The airplane's engine restarted during the landing roll.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that the loss of engine power occurred without warning. He attributed the power loss to carburetor icing, noting that the outside air temperature was 44 degrees Fahrenheit with a dew point of 42 degrees Fahrenheit. The pilot stated that icing probability charts indicated conditions were conducive to carburetor ice formation.
Investigation Findings
Examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of a preimpact mechanical failure. The investigation did not identify any structural or system anomalies that could have caused the power loss. The pilot's belief regarding carburetor icing was noted, but no definitive cause for the engine failure was determined.