What happened
At approximately 01:51 hst, the crew began descending from 8,000 feet MSL. Following clearance for a visual approach at 01:55 hst, the aircraft descended rapidly using 20 degrees of flaps and 25 inches of manifold pressure. The flight crew utilized the ILS localizer and glide slope to guide the descent. Upon reaching roughly 3,000 feet, the pilot requested an increase to 2,250 rpm and initiated landing gear extension.
As the aircraft passed through 2,000 feet, the pilot observed a decrease in airspeed and noted the plane was dropping below the glide slope. An attempt to increase power to 27 inches MAP was made; however, the crew realized that both engines had lost power and were non-responsive. The pilot subsequently performed a forced landing into a sugar cane field. During the landing, the landing gear was in a transient position. There were no injuries among the three occupants.
Findings
Investigation into the event identified that the aircraft was operating in conditions conducive to carburetor icing, as the temperature and dew point were 72°F and 65°F, respectively. The loss of power was attributed to ice formation within the fuel system's carburetors. Contributing factors included the improper use of carburetor heat by the pilot-in-command and the resulting inoperative status of both engines during the approach phase.