What happened
The pilot was conducting an approach to land when the aircraft descended below the desired glideslope. Recognizing the situation, the pilot applied additional power to the engine; however, the engine did not respond as expected. The aircraft touched down hard and short of the runway. Following the initial impact, the left wing struck a tree.
The investigation
During the post-accident review, the pilot stated that carburetor heat was not used during either the descent or the approach phase. At the time of the incident, light rain was falling in the area.
Findings
The sequence of events indicates a loss of engine power during a critical phase of flight. The lack of carburetor heat usage during descent in rainy conditions likely contributed to the engine failure. The aircraft's inability to maintain altitude and subsequent hard landing resulted in structural damage upon contact with terrain.
Safety message
Pilots should be aware that carburetor ice can form even in mild weather conditions, particularly when humidity is high or precipitation is present. Using carburetor heat as a preventive measure during descent and approach can help avoid power loss.