CHI82DA060

Factual narrative

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT NOTED A PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER. HE TURNED BACK TOWARD THE AIRPORT AND TURNED THE CARBURETOR HEAT ON; HOWEVER, THE CARBURETOR HEAT DID NOT SEEM TO HELP. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS SWITCHED FROM BOTH TANKS TO THE RIGHT TANK, AND THIS DID NOT HELP. THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE AND ENGINE POWER TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A FIELD COVERED WITH SNOW. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE FIELD APPEARED TO BE FLAT AND LIGHTLY COVERED WITH SNOW; HOWEVER, THERE WAS A RUT IN THE FIELD ABOUT 30 TO 36 INCHES DEEP. THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED DEEP SNOW, THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED, AND THE PLANE FLIPPED OVER. THE PILOT SUSPECTED POSSIBLE CARBURETOR ICE; HOWEVER, THIS WAS NOT VERIFIED. NO PRE-IMPACT, MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WAS REPORTED. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12