What happened
During an approach to runway 23, the pilot reduced power while turning from the base leg to the final leg. As the approach continued, the pilot attempted to advance the throttle, but the engine failed to respond. The pilot made three additional attempts to advance the throttle with no response. After verifying that the mixture and carburetor heat settings were correct, the pilot lowered the aircraft nose to increase airspeed in an attempt to flare above power lines obstructing the path. However, the landing gear struck the lines, causing the aircraft to descend to the ground. The pilot was not injured.
The investigation
The investigation examined the engine performance and environmental conditions. While the pilot noted that the carburetor heat had been functional earlier in the flight, there were no mechanical malfunctions reported. Atmospheric conditions at the time included a temperature of 71 degrees Fahrenheit and a dew point of 59 degrees Fahrenheit. According to icing probability charts, these specific conditions were conducive for carburetor icing.