Incident Overview
According to the pilot, during takeoff on runway 14, at an altitude of 200 feet above ground level, the engine suddenly lost power, going to idle as if the throttle had been pulled full out. The pilot responded by pitching the airplane for a glide speed of 65 miles per hour. He switched the fuel selector from the right fuel tank to the left and applied carburetor heat. The engine subsequently regained power, allowing the pilot to climb back to 200 feet.
Loss of Power and Ditching
After climbing back to altitude, the pilot turned the airplane back toward the runway. At that point, power was again lost. The pilot then ditched the airplane into a lake.
Post-Recovery Examination
Following recovery of the airplane from the lake, an examination conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) found that the left fuel tank was damaged and empty. The fuel selector was positioned on the left tank. The carburetor was cracked in half. The right fuel tank was full of a substance that appeared to be a mixture of fuel and water.
Weather Conditions
A review of weather data from the nearest reporting facility disclosed that conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor ice. The outside air temperature was 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and the dew point was 64 degrees Fahrenheit.