Primary finding
Probable cause
Carburetor ice collecting in the carburetor throat and the pilot's failure to use carburetor heat during the extended water taxi.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
After an extended water taxi, the pilot flew the airplane off the lake. The plane's engine began losing power power at an altitude of 200 feet above the ground. The pilot applied carburetor heat and began a turn to reverse direction and land on the lake from which he had just departed. During the turn the engine began to develop full power, but the airplane had descended too low and struck some trees before reaching the lake.
Source record
Factual narrative
On June 5, 1994, at 1800 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Taylorcraft, F-19 airplane, N96330, experienced a power loss on takeoff from Cheri Lake. During the turn to reverse direction the engine regained power, but the airplane had descended too low and it struck some trees prior to reaching the lake. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91 in visual meteorological conditions. The intended destination of the flight was Anchorage, Alaska. No flight plan was filed. The private certificated pilot was uninjured and the aircraft was substantially damaged. According to the pilot, after an extended water taxi, he took off from the lake and had reached an altitude of approximately 200 ft. when the engine started sputtering. He applied carburetor heat and began executing a 180 degree turn to return to the lake. The engine began to produce full power, but the plane struck the trees and crashed. -