Accident Sequence
The pilot reported that he had been flying for approximately one hour before the accident. He descended from about 8,500 feet mean sea level (msl) with an engine power setting of 2,200 rpm and without applying carburetor heat. The descent lasted 20 to 30 minutes as he flew from west to east for approximately 60 miles. After entering the traffic pattern at about 7,000 feet msl, he applied carburetor heat, enrichened the mixture "somewhat", and reduced power to approximately 1,500 to 1,700 rpm in preparation for landing.
On final approach, the pilot decided the aircraft was too high and added throttle to initiate a go-around. The engine did not respond to the throttle application. The airplane subsequently impacted the roof of a townhouse, slid down, and then struck the side of an adjacent townhouse, resulting in substantial damage to the aircraft.
Conditions
At the time of the accident, the aviation routine weather report (METAR) reported a temperature of 34 degrees Fahrenheit and a dewpoint of 31 degrees Fahrenheit. According to the carburetor icing chart, these conditions were conducive for "serious icing at cruise power." The pilot had not used carburetor heat during the extended descent.