What happened
The incident occurred when the airplane was positioned on the base leg, approximately one mile from the airport. At this stage of the approach, the pilot applied carburetor heat. Immediately following this action, the engine surged before losing power completely. The engine could not be restarted during the subsequent descent. The aircraft impacted the ground in a nose-low attitude with the left wing low.
Findings
Post-accident examination revealed no evidence of a pre-existing failure or mechanical malfunction within the engine prior to the event. Environmental conditions at the time were significant, with a temperature recorded at 89 degrees Fahrenheit and a dewpoint of 68 degrees Fahrenheit located 11 miles away from the accident site.
Safety message
The application of carburetor heat in high-temperature, high-humidity conditions can lead to rapid power loss due to ice formation or vapor lock. Pilots must be aware that sudden engine surging followed by power loss may indicate carburetor icing issues exacerbated by weather.