Sequence of Events
During a telephone interview and in his written report to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the pilot stated that the airplane had been parked outdoors in rain for two days with the fuel tanks approximately one-third full. Approximately 10 minutes after takeoff, while cruising at 300 feet above ground level, the engine momentarily ran rough. The pilot applied carburetor heat and adjusted the throttle, after which the engine smoothed out.
About 10 minutes later, the engine suddenly lost power. The pilot performed a forced landing on tundra terrain. During the landing, the airplane nosed over.
Pilot's Report
The pilot told the NTSB investigator-in-charge that he suspected water contamination in the fuel as the cause of the engine power loss. No other factors were identified in the pilot's account. The airplane sustained damage from the nose-over, but no injuries were reported by the pilot.
Investigation Status
The NTSB collected the pilot's statement and report. No additional factual findings from the investigation have been released.