Accident Overview
An instructional flight was approximately three miles south of the destination airport at an altitude of 1,600 feet when air traffic control cleared the aircraft to land on runway 2R. Shortly thereafter, the engine began to lose power and then surged back up. After a brief recovery, the power dropped again. The student pilot applied carburetor heat, and the flight instructor took control of the airplane.
Instructor Actions
The flight instructor checked the carburetor heat and mixture settings, then pumped the throttle several times. He then pushed the carburetor heat to the off position, after which the engine's condition worsened. The engine continued to lose power and then surge back to full power repeatedly.
Emergency Descent and Landing
The flight instructor informed air traffic control that the airplane was losing power and could not maintain altitude. At approximately 1,200 feet, the instructor realized they would not be able to reach the runway. He selected a bare pasture situated on a short hilltop for the emergency landing. He brought the airplane in over trees at the south end of the pasture with no engine power and full flaps deployed. The airplane touched down on the pasture, but the instructor could not stop it before reaching the crest of the hill. The aircraft went over the crest, struck a tree with the right wing, spun 180 degrees, collided with additional trees, and came to rest.
Post-Accident Examination
Examination of the airplane revealed broken engine mounts, collapsed nose gear, damage to both wings, and the empennage bent approximately 45 degrees to the left. Inspection of the engine showed 18 gallons of fuel in the fuel tanks, but very little fuel in the fuel lines or the carburetor. No water was found in the fuel lines or carburetor bowl. The engine examination found no anomalies.
Environmental Conditions
At the time of the accident, the temperature was minus 4 degrees Celsius, and the dewpoint was minus 16 degrees Celsius.