N1332Y

On October 7, 1996, about 0900 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna 172C, N1332Y, made a forced landing in an agricultural field short of the landing runway at Williams Gateway Airport in Mesa, Arizona. The aircraft sustained substantial damage; however, the private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The aircraft was operated as a local area personal flight by the pilot/owner when the accident occurred. The flight originated in Chandler, Arizona, about 0830 on the morning of the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.

The pilot reported that the aircraft had been parked on the ramp for some time and that he had planned on a local flight to warm up the engine. While at 4,000 feet msl, about 20 minutes after takeoff, the engine began running rough. He attempted to correct the problem by checking the fuel, switching tanks several times, adjusting the mixture, and applying carburetor heat. As the roughness became more severe, he contacted Chandler tower and began to fly towards the Williams Gateway airport. He was planning to make a precautionary landing at Williams Gateway when the engine quit and he initiated a forced landing. During the rollout, the aircraft struck a cement-lined irrigation ditch, shearing off the nose gear, and nosing the airplane over onto its back. The aircraft came to rest in an alfalfa field about 1,000 yards short of the airport.

FAA airworthiness inspectors found the fuel selector positioned on the right tank. The right tank was visually inspected and found to be dry. Recovery personnel reported draining 9 gallons of fuel from the left tank. The fuel was both similar in color and odor to auto gas. No STC for auto gas was reported for the aircraft.