Accident Sequence
The accident occurred when the airplane experienced a loss of engine power during descent. The pilot reported that while cruising at 5,500 feet above mean level, the engine stopped as the descent began. The pilot executed a forced landing onto a highway. During the landing, the nose wheel departed the paved surface, causing the nose landing gear to collapse. The airplane came to rest with substantial damage, including a collapsed nose landing gear and significant impact damage to an outboard section of the left wing spar.
Preflight and Fueling
The day before the flight, the pilot had requested fueling from a lineman at the departure airport. However, the lineman found that the airplane's fuel tanks were already full before he could add any fuel. The pilot's actions regarding fuel management prior to the flight are not detailed.
On-Scene Examination
Initial examination of the wreckage at the accident site revealed no fuel present in the fuel tanks. The airplane was left unattended overnight, and when examined the following day, fuel was observed in the tanks. The aircraft was equipped with a carburetor air temperature indicator. No preimpact mechanical anomalies were found during the examination; the damage was consistent with impact forces from the forced landing.
Weather Conditions
At the time of the accident, the local weather was reported as: wind from 230 degrees at 5 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition few clouds at 15,000 feet; temperature -5 degrees Celsius; dew point -6 degrees Celsius; and altimeter setting 30.07 inches of mercury. According to a carburetor icing probability chart developed by Transport Canada, the combination of air temperature and dew point had the potential to produce serious icing at descent power settings.