Taylorcraft Aviation Corp. F21 N2005E accident near Willow, Alaska

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane after a loss of engine power during takeoff due to carburetor ice.

NTSB analysis

During takeoff from a lake in a float-equipped airplane, the pilot said the airplane became airborne, but the engine began to lose power. The pilot said that he did not think the airplane would clear the trees at the end of the lake, so he started a right turn to stay over the water. As he steepened the turn, the airplane stalled and impacted the lake.

The pilot said the outside temperature was about 55 degrees Fahrenheit and that it was raining. He reported that the more he thought about the circumstances, the more he believed that the loss of power was the result of carburetor ice. The weather conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to serious icing conditions at any engine power setting. No preaccident mechanical problems that would have precluded normal operation were reported.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC12LA096 for the full record.