Incident Overview
During a descent for landing, the aircraft experienced an engine failure. The pilot executed a forced landing approach toward a field. However, while maneuvering, the aircraft struck electrical power lines and subsequently crashed into the field.
Post-Accident Examination
After the accident, the engine was operated at full power, and no evidence of pre-crash mechanical failure or malfunction was found. Post-crash fuel calculations indicated that approximately 12 gallons of fuel should have been onboard at the time of the accident.
Carburetor Icing Considerations
The flight was operating under conditions conducive to serious carburetor icing at glide power settings. The pilot reported that carburetor heat was used throughout the descent. A post-crash examination of the carburetor heat system found it to be intact with no evidence of malfunction.
Investigation Findings
Investigators did not identify a specific cause for the engine failure. The engine's post-accident performance and the integrity of the carburetor heat system suggest that carburetor icing may not have been a factor, despite the conducive conditions. The exact reason for the loss of engine power remains undetermined.