What happened
The aircraft was established on final approach for landing when the engine unexpectedly lost power. This loss of thrust occurred while the plane was approximately 40 to 50 feet above ground level (AGL) and roughly one-quarter mile from the runway threshold. Unable to maintain altitude, the aircraft touched down short of the paved surface.
Upon touchdown, the aircraft collided with the approach lighting system. After coming to a complete stop on the runway pavement, the pilot took immediate action to address the power loss. The pilot switched the fuel selector to an alternate tank and successfully restarted the engine. Following the restart, the pilot taxied the aircraft to the parking area without further incident.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanical state of the aircraft following the event. Examination revealed that the engine was operational after the pilot switched fuel sources. No mechanical failure or structural damage to the airframe was cited as the primary cause of the power loss in the available narrative, pointing instead to a fuel supply issue that was resolved by switching tanks.
Findings
The critical factor in this event was the fuel exhaustion or interruption during the final phase of flight. The pilot's quick decision to switch fuel tanks and restart the engine allowed for the safe recovery of the aircraft after the hard landing. The incident highlights the importance of fuel management awareness during high-workload phases such as final approach.