Accident Sequence
According to the pilot, as the airplane climbed through approximately 400 feet, the engine sputtered, then smoothed out. Shortly thereafter, the engine sputtered again and then quit. The pilot attempted to restart the engine but was unsuccessful. The airplane subsequently impacted trees, resulting in substantial damage.
Post-Accident Examination
An examination of the airplane and its powerplant revealed no anomalies. The engine and related components were found to be in normal operating condition, with no mechanical failures or malfunctions identified.
Weather Conditions
Several weather observation stations reported the temperature and dewpoint as 24 degrees Celsius (C) and 19 degrees C, respectively. According to the carburetor icing chart, these conditions were conducive for "serious icing at glide power."
Conclusions
The engine failure occurred under circumstances consistent with possible carburetor icing, though the investigation did not identify any mechanical cause. The airplane sustained substantial damage due to impact with trees.