Accident Overview
The pilot of a Piper PA-28 (N9544J) reported that before landing, he turned the fuel boost pump to the "ON" position, applied carburetor heat, and set engine power at approximately 1500 RPM. The mixture had remained in the full rich position throughout the entire flight. On final approach, the aircraft encountered a crosswind. When the pilot attempted a power correction, the engine did not respond. No restart was attempted. Subsequently, the aircraft performed a forced landing off the airport, resulting in substantial damage.
Investigation Findings
An investigation revealed no pre-crash malfunction or failure of the aircraft or engine. It was noted that the majority of the pilot's flight experience was in a Cessna 172. Additionally, investigators observed that the mixture control in the Piper PA-28 (N9544J) was similar to the carburetor heat control in many Cessna 172 aircraft.