N1437Y

On June 4, 2008, at 1056 central daylight time, a Cessna 172C, N1437Y, nosed over during an off-airport landing in Nortonville, North Dakota, following a loss of engine power. The pilot received minor injuries and the airplane was substantially damaged. The Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight originated from Bismarck, North Dakota, at 0949, with an intended destination of Lisbon, North Dakota.

The pilot reported that prior to departing Bismarck he checked the fuel levels using the fuel gauges which were indicating a quarter tank of fuel on the left side, and a half tank of fuel on the right side. He stated he did not visually check the quantity by looking in the tanks, and that he recently had the fuel quantity indicators calibrated. The pilot stated that approximately 50 minutes into the flight, the left fuel tank was indicating less than one-eight of a tank and the right tank was indicating between one-quarter and one-half of a tank. He stated that shortly thereafter the engine stopped producing power. The pilot reported he checked the magnetos and switched fuel tanks, but did not apply carburetor heat. He stated that when he switched the fuel selector to the right fuel tank position, the engine momentarily "seemed like it would start, but it did not." The pilot lined the airplane up to land on a road, but noticed power lines crossing the road. He then selected an open field in which to land. He stated he maneuvered the airplane to line up parallel with the plowed rows and that he did not have enough time to extend the flaps. The airplane nosed over when the nose wheel dug into the soft terrain.

A post accident inspection of the airplane was conducted by inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration Fargo, North Dakota, Flight Standards District Office. The inspectors reported there was no smell of fuel present at the accident site and no indications of fuel leakage from the airplane. Examination of the airplane revealed a total of less than 1-quart (32 oz) of fuel was present on the airplane following the accident.