Accident Details
After completing a cross-country flight, the aircraft turned onto final approach. As the airplane aligned with the runway, the left engine ceased producing power. The pilot immediately applied full power to the right engine and retracted the landing gear and flaps, but the left engine propeller was not feathered. The descent continued, and the airplane made a wheels-up landing in a field approximately 300 feet short of the runway.
Pilot Actions
The pilot responded to the power loss by increasing throttle on the operating engine and cleaning up the aircraft configuration. However, the propeller of the failed engine remained windmilling, which increased aerodynamic drag.
Performance Evaluation
A performance analysis determined that with one engine inoperative and the propeller windmilling, the aircraft could not sustain level flight. In contrast, if the propeller had been feathered and the landing gear and flaps retracted, the airplane would have been capable of a 283 feet per minute climb.
Examination Findings
Inspection of the left engine revealed abnormalities in the ignition system, including a shorted tower on one magneto and separation of the shielding at multiple points. Despite these findings, investigators were unable to determine a specific reason for the total loss of power in the left engine.
Fuel Status
After the incident, approximately 15 gallons of fuel remained in each main tank. The auxiliary fuel tanks were empty.