Accident Details
During the second flight after installation of a new autopilot, a pilot observed on short final that the mixture was set too lean. While wearing a gloved hand, he pushed the mixture control to a richer setting and inadvertently activated the autopilot, which was located directly above the mixture control. The autopilot had been set to navigation, heading, and altitude modes from a previous flight. The pilot reported fighting the autopilot, and the airplane aerodynamically stalled, resulting in a hard landing.
Aircraft Damage
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall.
Pilot Report
The pilot stated there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.