Incident Details
While on a long final approach for landing, the aircraft's engine lost power. The pilot attempted to restart the engine and realized that he had not previously activated the carburetor heat. Unable to restart the engine, he maneuvered the airplane to land in a parking lot. During the approach, the aircraft struck the tops of trees as the pilot was avoiding powerlines by flying below them. The airplane was unable to stop within the parking lot and subsequently struck trees and a fence on the far side of the lot.
Investigation Findings
An investigation revealed that the temperature and dew point at an altitude of 2,000 feet were approximately 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Above and below that altitude, the temperature increased to about 42 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit. During an operational check of the engine, it would not start until the carburetor was drained to check for water. Approximately 1.5 ounces of an unknown substance, heavier than fuel, was drained from the carburetor. The aircraft had been flown 5.3 hours since the last refueling, which occurred on November 8, 1981. Nearly one quart of water was drained from the fuel system during the preflight inspection.