Sequence of Events
A pilot with 450 hours of flight time reported that after entering the traffic pattern for landing on Runway 17R, he observed that the airplane was at a high altitude and airspeed. He reduced engine power and extended the flaps to 20 degrees. Turning onto the final approach, the pilot extended the flaps an additional 10 degrees and then noticed that the airplane "began sinking at a fast rate." Shortly thereafter, the engine lost power, and the pilot initiated a forced landing. During the forced landing, the airplane struck treetops, nosed over, and impacted the terrain before coming to rest in a nose-low attitude.
Weather Conditions
The weather reporting station at the airport recorded a temperature of 71 degrees Fahrenheit and a dew point of 48 degrees Fahrenheit 17 minutes before the accident. According to a Carburetor Icing Probability Chart, these temperature and dew point values placed the operating conditions within the range labeled "serious icing at glide power."
Engine Examination
An examination of the engine revealed no mechanical anomalies that would explain the loss of power.