Accident Details
During the approach to the destination airstrip, the pilot executed a steep descent with reduced engine power. When he attempted to reduce the rate of descent by applying power, the engine did not respond. The aircraft subsequently landed short of the intended runway.
Investigation Findings
Investigators found no evidence of any mechanical malfunction with the powerplant. They noted that there was no indication that the pilot had applied power or cleared the engine during the descent. The long, power-off descent is believed to have cold soaked the engine, resulting in poor engine response when power was reapplied.
The pilot's failure to ensure sufficient altitude at the commencement of the approach, and/or to raise the landing gear after the power loss, resulted in the aircraft landing short of the runway. Additionally, the pilot's unfamiliarity with the airstrip and its mountainous terrain, as well as the high density altitude conditions, contributed to the accident.
Probable Cause
The probable cause of the accident was the pilot's failure to ensure sufficient altitude at the commencement of the approach and/or raise the gear after the power loss, which resulted in the aircraft landing short of the intended runway. Contributing factors were his unfamiliarity with the airstrip and its associated mountainous terrain, as well as the high density altitude conditions.