What happened
The pilot initiated a descent while flying approximately five miles from the destination airport. During this phase of flight, the pilot reduced engine power to manage the approach profile. As the aircraft descended, the pilot attempted to add power to arrest the excessive descent rate.
At that moment, the engine failed to respond to the throttle input. The loss of thrust resulted in an aerodynamic stall at an altitude of approximately 20 feet above the ground. The aircraft impacted a plowed field during this emergency landing approach.
The investigation
A post-accident inspection of the airframe and propulsion system was conducted to determine the mechanical status of the aircraft following the impact. The examination failed to reveal any obvious reason for the loss of power or any pre-existing mechanical defects that would explain the engine's failure to respond during the critical phase of flight.