Event Details
The aircraft was on the base leg of the approach with power at idle and carburetor heat on when the engine lost power. The pilot attempted to restart the engine but was unable to do so. A forced landing was executed, during which the aircraft made a hard landing and nosed over.
Pilot Account
The pilot stated that he was troubled by gusts on the final approach and abandoned restart attempts. He reported that during the flare, a gust stopped, leaving the aircraft at 10 feet above ground level (AGL). The pilot attributed the nose-over to a muddy field that had been freshly plowed.
Contradictory Evidence
Photographs, a witness, and an insurance representative indicated that the field was not muddy. A ground vehicle drove to the scene without difficulty. Ground scars in the field, which was unplowed, showed evidence that the nose wheel made first ground contact.
Post-Accident Findings
During the forced landing, the flaps were set at 10 degrees. After the accident, the engine was started and operated normally. The relative humidity on the day of the accident was 90 percent, with a temperature of 61 degrees Fahrenheit and a dew point of 58 degrees Fahrenheit. According to icing probability curves, this condition falls within the serious icing range for glide and cruise power.