Incident Overview
During a flight, the airplane's engine began to shake violently and backfire as the aircraft neared its intended destination. The pilot reduced power to lessen the effects. After confirming that the fuel selector, magnetos, and engine controls were properly set, the pilot set up for an off-airport landing on a dirt strip.
Landing and Collapse
During the landing roll, a crosswind caused the airplane to drift off the dirt strip. The nose landing gear dug into the soft dirt adjacent to the field and collapsed, and the right wing impacted the terrain.
Post-Accident Examination
A post-accident test run of the engine and examination of the carburetor revealed no anomalies that would have resulted in the reported engine shake and backfire. Review of a carburetor icing probability chart showed that, with the temperature and dew point at the time of the accident, a chance of light carburetor icing existed at cruise or descent power.