Incident Details
The pilot reported that the airplane's engine lost power at night while the aircraft was approximately ten miles south of Roanoke airport at an altitude of 11,500 feet MSL. The pilot requested and received clearance for an emergency landing at Roanoke. Air traffic control vectored the airplane for a straight-in approach.
Emergency Response
The pilot reported seeing the airport lights from six miles away and was cleared to land. However, when the airplane was about half a mile from the runway, the pilot realized he would not be able to reach the runway. He subsequently landed in a shopping mall parking lot located about half a mile south of the airport. During the landing rollout, the airplane struck a vehicle and a light pole.
Postaccident Examination
Postaccident examination did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunction. The engine operated normally during a postaccident engine test run, indicating no mechanical failure prior to the landing.
Pilot Actions
During the emergency descent, the pilot performed the descent at 90 KIAS. According to the pilot, he did not complete the emergency checklist procedures. The aircraft manufacturer specifies that the best glide speed for the airplane is 65 KIAS.