Incident Overview
The pilot of a general aviation airplane reported that during a descent towards an airport, he reduced engine power and applied carburetor heat. Approximately 200 feet above ground level, he attempted to reapply power to stabilize the approach, but the engine did not respond. The propeller continued to windmill, but no power was produced.
Forced Landing
Unable to restore engine power, the pilot executed a forced landing in a field. During the landing, the airplane struck a fence post and a parked car. It subsequently ground looped before coming to rest approximately 200 yards short of the airport.
Sequence of Events
The pilot's account indicates that the engine failure occurred during the approach phase. The application of carburetor heat and subsequent power reduction were standard procedures, but the engine's lack of response after power was reapplied resulted in a loss of thrust. The forced landing was conducted under the circumstances, with the aircraft impacting obstacles on the ground before stopping.