Incident Overview
During a landing approach, the aircraft's engine lost power. The pilot was unable to reach the runway and initiated a forced landing to an open school yard. While descending, the airplane struck power lines and subsequently impacted the ground in a nose-down attitude, vertical to the terrain.
Investigation Findings
An on-scene examination revealed that the spark plugs were coated with a layer of black carbon. Inspection of the cockpit showed the auxiliary fuel pump switch was positioned in the low setting. Investigators noted no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the aircraft.
Additional Details
The forced landing occurred while the aircraft was in the traffic pattern for landing. The specific weather conditions, time of day, and other environmental factors were not recorded in the available data. The pilot's actions during the emergency descent were consistent with attempting to reach a suitable landing area, but the collision with power lines prevented a controlled touchdown.
The carbon deposits on the spark plugs indicate a rich fuel mixture condition, which can degrade engine performance. The auxiliary fuel pump switch being in the low setting may have contributed to an improper fuel-air mixture, but the investigation did not explicitly attribute the power loss to this setting. No other mechanical issues were identified.
The aircraft came to rest after the nose-down impact. The extent of damage to the airplane is not detailed, but the collision with power lines and terrain suggests substantial damage.