Incident at Island Lake, 50 MI SW, MB

1997-06-06: The pilot of a wheel-ski equipped Cessna 180, was enroute Thompson from Dryden, Ontario. The pilot reported a reduction in engine performance shortly after he began to descend from 3500 feet to circumnavigate deteriorating weather. CARB heat was applied and a further loss of engine power was experienced. The pilot anticipated a complete loss of power force landed onto a lake. During the landing attempt the aircraft's right wing struck a tree and suffered impact damage. Besides minor damage to the aircraft, neither the pilot or his passenger were injured. DND/RCC responded by contracting a helicopter operator at Island Lake to fly out and pick up the pilot and his passenger. The symptoms, as described by the pilot are consistent with CARB icing.