Accident Overview
An aircraft nosed over during a forced landing after the engine quit during descent for approach to land. The pilot reported that shortly after beginning the descent to land, the engine failed at 5,000 ft while he was completing the checklist. He initially believed he could reach the runway but noted that the windmilling propeller caused a high sink rate.
Pilot Actions
The pilot attempted to restart the engine by switching fuel tanks at least once, possibly twice. He used the boost pump with each tank and adjusted the mixture setting, but these efforts were unsuccessful. Consequently, he was forced to land off the airport, during which the aircraft nosed over.
Post-Accident Examination
An on-site examination of the aircraft revealed no fuel in the right tank and a substantial amount of fuel in the left tank. There was no evidence of fuel spillage or ruptures in either tank.
Emergency Airstart Procedure
The operating handbook specifies the following emergency airstart procedure: 1. Airspeed: 75 KIAS 2. Fuel selector valve and quantity check 3. Mixture: rich 4. Auxiliary fuel pump: on for 3-5 seconds with throttle half open, then off 5. Ignition switch: both (or start if propeller stops) 6. Throttle: advance slowly
Pilot Experience
The pilot had not flown this model of aircraft in the 90 days preceding the accident.