Incident Summary
A visual flight rules (VFR) flight departed Fort Frances, Ontario, with a pilot and four passengers, destined for Granite Lake. The departure weather was overcast with good visibility. Approximately halfway to the destination, just north of Ignace, the pilot encountered an area of increasing rain and decreasing visibility. Several course deviations were made in an attempt to find a route through the adverse weather, but the pilot could not find a way out nor a suitable lake for landing.
Sequence of Events
While manoeuvring at low level with heavy rain obscuring the horizon, the pilot reported that the engines experienced a partial power loss due to carburettor icing. Carburettor heat was applied, but engine power could not be restored, and the aircraft could not sustain altitude. The pilot attempted to keep the aircraft level, and within seconds, the aircraft descended into the trees. The aircraft traveled approximately 500 feet through the trees; the left wing was torn off, and a fuel-fed fire ignited almost immediately.
Outcome
All five occupants survived the crash with minor injuries and exited the aircraft. The passenger in the copilot seat received burns to his upper body. About 15 minutes later, a second company pilot overflew the crash site and transmitted a Mayday. The occupants were rescued by helicopter approximately one hour after the accident.
Probable Cause
The pilot continued the flight into adverse weather at low level and force-landed the aircraft into trees when the engines experienced a partial power loss that was probably caused by carburettor icing.