Incident Overview
An airplane experienced a partial loss of engine power and made a precautionary landing at a private airstrip. During the landing roll, the aircraft veered right, the pilot corrected left, and the airplane departed the runway into soft ground on the left side, nosing over onto its back.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that approximately five minutes after departure, at an altitude of 500 feet, a loud noise was heard from the engine, accompanied by a reduction in power. By manipulating the carburetor heat control, the pilot regained some engine power and proceeded to land at the first available landing site, a small private airstrip.
Weather Conditions
Meteorological data from the nearest reporting station at the approximate time of the incident indicated a temperature of 95°F and a dew point of 60°F. A standard carburetor icing chart showed that, under those temperature and dew point conditions, light carburetor icing was possible when in the glide or cruise power configurations.
Post-Incident Examination
Under the supervision of an FAA inspector, an Airframe & Powerplant mechanic examined the engine and found no anomalies. The mechanic was able to start the engine and achieved 800-900 rpm before shutting it down due to vibrations caused by a bent propeller.