Incident Overview
During the final approach to landing, the airplane suffered a total loss of engine power, forcing a landing that ended short of the runway. The pilot reported encountering light turbulence moments before the power loss. The aircraft was approximately 1,000 feet from the runway threshold and 500 feet above ground level when the pilot advanced the throttle, at which point the engine ceased to operate.
Sequence of Events
The airplane descended and struck pine trees before impacting the ground. It came to rest upright, stopping 32 feet short of the approach end of the runway. Subsequent inspection revealed that between 4 and 6 gallons of fuel were drained from each of the two wing fuel tanks.
Post-Accident Findings
A test run of the engine while installed in the airframe showed that it operated within normal parameters at all power settings, indicating no mechanical malfunction. The pilot stated that he believed the loss of engine power was caused by "unporting of fuel on final approach." According to the airframe manufacturer, in certain flight maneuvers, fuel may move away from the fuel tank outlets, potentially leading to a loss of engine power.