Incident Overview
During cruise flight in visual flight rules (VFR) conditions, an aircraft experienced a loss of power on both engines. The pilot initiated an emergency forced landing at a nearby unpaved State airport. While maneuvering, the aircraft encountered a 20 mph tailwind on downwind and a 20 mph headwind on final approach. The aircraft subsequently impacted a tall conifer tree approximately half a mile from the approach end of the runway.
Sequence of Events
The aircraft was cruising en route when both engines lost power. The pilot selected an unpaved State airport for an emergency landing. On the downwind leg, the aircraft experienced a 20 mph tailwind. On final approach, the wind shifted to a 20 mph headwind. The aircraft collided with a tall conifer tree about half a mile from the runway threshold.
Investigation Findings
The reason for the dual engine power loss was not determined. The official probable cause states: "The loss of power in both engines for undetermined reasons while in cruise flight, leading to an attempted forced landing. Factors include unfavorable winds at the site of the forced landing, and trees off the approach end of the grass runway the pilot was attempting to land on."