Accident Details
A pilot reported that during a flight, he descended from 5,500 feet MSL to 2,000 feet MSL with the throttle at idle and without using carburetor heat. When he advanced the throttle, the engine did not respond, prompting him to attempt a forced landing. The airplane subsequently impacted trees and powerlines before striking the ground.
Investigation Findings
The investigation did not reveal any reason for the engine failure. The airplane was equipped with a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the use of automotive fuel and was operating on automotive fuel at the time of the accident. The temperature and dew point were outside the probability range for carburetor ice formation if aviation fuel had been used; however, this range cannot be calculated for automotive fuel.
Operational Context
The pilot's descent profile involved reducing power to idle and not applying carburetor heat, which is a standard precaution against carburetor icing in certain conditions. The subsequent lack of engine response when power was added resulted in the forced landing sequence.