NTSB Factual Report

On October 25, 2003, at 1300 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N7387YL, lost engine power during flight and made an emergency landing near Fresno Chandler Airport (FCH), Fresno, California. Carter Flygare, Inc., was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight departed Visalia Municipal Airport (VIS), Visalia, California, at 1230, and was en route to Sacramento Executive Airport (SAC), Sacramento, California. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed.

In a written statement, the pilot reported that after an uneventful departure, he was en route to Sacramento when the engine lost power. He applied carburetor heat and placed the mixture in the full forward position. He reported the engine power loss to Fresno Approach and requested to land at the nearest airport. He turned toward the airport while attempting restart procedures; the engine was unresponsive. While on final, the pilot realized that he was not going to make the airport and landed the airplane in a field. As the main wheels touched down, the airplane nosed over. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions.

The Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported that the fuel selector was on the left tank during the recovery. Approximately 1/2 gallon of fuel was recovered from the left fuel tank; approximately 20 gallons of fuel were recovered from the right tank. After the engine failure, the pilot did not switch fuel tanks.

The pilot operating handbook for the Cessna 172N states that in the event of an engine failure, the pilot should move the fuel selector valve into the "BOTH" position.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's inadequate fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation and a loss of engine power. Also causal was the pilot's failure to follow engine out emergency procedures as defined by the pilot operating handbook.