Incident Overview
A pilot flying an airplane on approach to a runway reduced the throttle to idle while approximately 5 miles from the airport. The aircraft continued toward the runway, but the pilot subsequently noticed that the airplane was too low. Advancing the throttle produced no immediate engine response.
Forced Landing
Unable to restore engine power in time, the pilot executed a forced landing in a wooded area. Post-accident examination of the airplane and engine revealed no mechanical defects or malfunctions.
Pilot Interview
During an interview after the accident, the pilot acknowledged that when the throttle is set to idle, the engine requires several seconds to build up power after the throttle is advanced.
Conclusion
The investigation determined that the engine failed to respond due to the throttle being at idle, without any mechanical issues contributing to the event.