N2629U

The airplane collided with trees during a forced landing to a pasture following a reported loss of engine power while on a visual approach to the destination airport. The 241-hour private pilot reported in the NTSB Form 6120.1/2 (Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report) that following a 10-minute flight covering 12-nautical miles to his destination airport; he turned onto the final approach course and pulled back the throttle to idle power in order to lose altitude. Upon retarding the throttle, the engine lost power; however, the pilot was able to attempt two restarts without success. At this point, the pilot realized he would not be able to make it to the airport and executed a 180-degree turn toward a nearby small pasture. The single-engine airplane was not able to clear the mature trees at the edge of the pasture and the airplane impacted the trees approximately 2 miles south of the airport. The airplane came to rest in the inverted position with the right wing and right cabin door separated from the aircraft. There was no post crash fire and the pilot was able to exit the airplane through the left cabin door sustaining minor injuries. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that responded to the accident site noted that there was no water present in the fuel lines and that both fuel tanks were empty on inspection. The pilot reported that during his preflight inspection, he measured the fuel on each fuel cell and estimated to have approximately 4 gallons in each tank. In the recommendation block of the completed NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot attributes the loss of engine power to carburetor ice. Weather at the time of the accident was reported as winds from 340 degrees at 9 knots, 7 statute miles visibility, broken clouds at 1,900 feet above ground level, and a temperature of 28 degrees Fahrenheit.