Accident Overview
A certificated private pilot was operating an airplane that had departed from the frozen surface of a small lake. Earlier in the day, the pilot had conducted touch-and-go landings on the same lake. After departure, the airplane climbed to approximately 100 feet above the ground when the engine suddenly stopped producing power.
Forced Landing and Damage
The pilot executed a turn back toward the lake and subsequently landed along the edge of the lake. The touchdown occurred in an area covered with snow. Upon impact, the main landing gear was sheared off the airplane. Additionally, the right wing struck a snow bank, resulting in damage to the wing structure.
Post-Accident Discovery
The pilot returned to the accident site the day after the incident to begin disassembling the airplane for transportation. During this process, the pilot discovered that the airplane's fuel tanks were empty. The pilot then recalled that the last flight before the accident had taken place approximately two months prior, and he had not refueled the airplane after that flight.