Primary finding
Probable cause
The failure of the pilot to do adequate preflight planning and failure to refuel when he had the opportunity. A factor in the accident was the soft field due to recent rains.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot departed with the fuel gauges indicating 1/2 full. He made one full stop landing but did not refuel. After executing a practice approach and missed approach procedure on his return trip, the engine sputtered. He decided to shut the engine down and make a forced landing. He had been flying for about two hours. He landed in a bean field, but due to the recent rains the ground was soft. The nose wheel dug into the ground and the aircraft flipped over onto its back. During the inspection of the airplane, both wing tank sumps were drained and each had about 1/3 cup of fuel remaining.
Source record
Factual narrative
On July 1, 1995, at 1150 central daylight time, a Cessna 177B, N13734, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing due to loss of engine power near Nappanee, Indiana. The private pilot reported no injury. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight departed Rochester, Indiana, enroute to Mishawaka, Indiana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. In his written statements and phone conversations, the pilot reported that he had departed Mishawaka with the fuel gauges indicating 1/2 full. He landed at Rochester, Indiana, but did not refuel before returning to Mishawaka. While returning, he executed a practice approach and missed approach at Goshen, Indiana. As he was proceeding to the Goshen VOR (GHS) for the missed approach procedure, the engine sputtered and he shut the engine down. He had been flying for about two hours when this occured. He then picked out a field and proceeded with the forced landing. He touched down in a bean field that he had picked out as his landing spot. Due to the recent rains the ground was soft. After traveling about 200 feet, the nose wheel dug into the dirt and the airplane to flipped over onto its back. During the inspection of the airplane, both wing tank sumps were drained and each contained about 1/3 cup of fuel. -