Flight Profile
During a 2-hour and 40-minute training mission, the pilot kept the fuel mixture at full rich while operating at a low power setting. After the mission, the pilot climbed the airplane to 9,000 feet above ground level (agl) to clear obstacles en route to the destination. The subsequent descent was conducted at approximately 180 knots indicated airspeed, with the pilot noting that he reduced power more rapidly than usual and descended faster than normal.
Engine Failure
While in the traffic pattern, at an altitude between 800 and 1,000 feet agl, the pilot applied power. Both engines immediately lost total power. The pilot established a glide at 85 knots indicated airspeed, completed emergency procedures, and retracted the landing gear. Efforts to restart the engines were unsuccessful. The pilot did not feather the propellers. Prior to touchdown, the landing gear was extended.
Landing and Examination
The pilot reported that he did not flare the airplane during landing, which resulted in the airplane colliding with the ground. The engine manual and the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) recommend adjusting the fuel mixture for cruise conditions. The engine manual includes a note advising against long descents at low power due to the risk of excessive engine cooling and unsatisfactory acceleration when power is reapplied. For a dual engine failure, the POH recommends feathering the propellers and gliding at 120 knots indicated airspeed.
During the post-accident engine examination, soot was noted on all spark plugs. Both engines were started and ran normally from idle to full acceleration.