What happened
During a local area personal flight, a Cessna aircraft experienced a loss of engine power while in the cruise phase of flight. In an attempt to restore power, the pilot performed several standard procedures, including applying carburetor heat, switching fuel tanks, and adjusting the mixture to a rich setting.
When these actions failed to resolve the power loss, the pilot executed a forced landing adjacent to a road. During the landing roll, the main landing gear encountered snow, causing the aircraft to nose over.
The investigation
An examination of the engine and aircraft components found no mechanical evidence that would have prevented the engine from operating normally. At the time of the accident, the temperature was 39 degrees Fahrenheit and the dew point was 34 degrees Fahrenheit. Based on icing probability charts, these atmospheric conditions were considered conducive to the formation of carburetor ice.