Incident Overview
A Cessna 182A aircraft experienced an engine failure during the landing phase after completing a skydiving operation. The pilot was returning to the airfield following a skydiving drop when the incident occurred.
Pilot's Account
The pilot reported that the descent, as well as the downwind and base legs of the traffic pattern, proceeded without incident. However, after turning onto the final approach leg, the pilot attempted to add power, and the engine "cut out." The pilot then checked the mixture, magnetos, and throttle controls, but the engine did not regain power. In an effort to clear trees ahead, the pilot reduced airspeed to the stall speed, and the airplane subsequently landed short of the intended runway.
Investigation Findings
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the aircraft and found that there was adequate fuel onboard, and no mechanical anomalies were identified. However, it was noted that the carburetor heat was off. A plot of the ambient temperature and dew point on a carburetor icing probability chart indicated a likelihood of "serious [carburetor] icing at glide power." No other contributing factors were reported.