What happened
The pilot climbed the unspecified aircraft to 1,400 feet above mean sea level. While flying over a river, the pilot turned left and applied carburetor heat to the engine before descending to approximately 500 feet above the water. After securing the carburetor heat and opening the throttle, the engine failed to respond. Although the engine sound remained normal, it stayed at idle power regardless of the throttle position.
The pilot verified that the fuel selector was in the correct position and turned the aircraft toward a shoreline at an altitude of approximately 300 to 400 feet. The pilot attempted a forced landing into a field, but the aircraft struck a tree before reaching the intended site. The pilot was not injured.
The investigation
No formal examination of the aircraft was performed at the accident scene. A subsequent cursory examination conducted by the owner revealed no mechanical anomalies prior to the accident.