Event Summary
Approximately 4-5 miles northeast of the departure airport, the airplane's engine began to fluctuate between 1,800 and 1,900 revolutions per minute (rpm). The pilot decided to turn back to the departure airport and enter the traffic pattern for runway 24.
Engine Performance
While on the downwind leg, the pilot lowered the landing gear. On the base leg, the engine began to lose significant power. The pilot turned on the electric fuel pump and manipulated the throttle, but there was no change in engine performance. Upon turning onto the final approach for runway 24, the pilot reported that the engine occasionally sputtered but seemed quieter. Manifold pressure and rpm were dropping, and airspeed and altitude were decreasing rapidly.
Landing
The airplane landed approximately 1/4 mile short of runway 24, resulting in substantial damage.
Post-incident Testing
After the incident, the engine was subjected to an operational test while still attached to the airframe and using the original fuel system. The engine started without hesitation and operated at varying power ranges without any anomalies.