Event Details
During a local pleasure flight, the private pilot experienced the engine running rough and suspected carburetor ice as the cause. He applied carburetor heat and continued for approximately three minutes, but the engine did not smooth out. The pilot initiated a climb, but the airplane failed to gain altitude, prompting him to opt for a precautionary landing on a sandbar in a river.
Landing and Damage
After touching down on the rough, bumpy surface, the pilot applied braking. The wheels dug into an area of soft sand, causing the airplane to nose over and come to rest inverted. The wings and the left side lift strut sustained substantial damage.
Pilot Report
The pilot did not report any mechanical failures or malfunctions with the engine or airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Weather Conditions
The nearest weather reporting facility was located about 27 nautical miles to the northwest of the accident site. Around the time of the accident, the reported temperature was 30°F and the dew point was 16°F, conditions at the edge of the range on the carburetor probability chart for icing at glide and cruise power.