Incident Description
During a left turn to final approach after descending through an overcast layer, the engine stopped approximately 0.5 miles from the runway at 500 feet MSL. The pilot initiated restart efforts: switching from the right to the left fuel tank, applying carburetor heat, richening the mixture, advancing the throttle, and checking the magneto switch position. He did not report turning on the auxiliary electric fuel pump. Unable to restart the engine, the pilot declared an engine-out emergency and performed an approach to a parking lot, resulting in a hard landing.
Fuel Status
An FAA inspector reported that the right fuel tank was filled nearly to the tab, while the left tank contained approximately 5 gallons. The pilot stated that he had been using the right tank for both legs of the flight and switched to the left tank as he turned final. Fueling records indicated the airplane had been topped off earlier that morning and had flown for 2 hours since then.
Carburetor Icing Conditions
The temperature was 59°F with a dew point of 54°F. According to a carburetor icing probability chart, these conditions were conducive for serious icing at either cruise or climb power. The pilot did not apply carburetor heat until after the power loss occurred.
Checklist Recommendations
The manufacturer recommends that the auxiliary electric fuel pump be on for all takeoffs and landings and when switching tanks. The second item on the 'Engine Power Loss In Flight' checklist is 'Electric Fuel Pump - On.'