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The pilot of a C172 returning to base suffered a rough running engine which forced a safely conducted off airport landing. When he sumped the tanks and gascolator he discovered water in both. After appropriate ameliorative; testing and planning measures the flight back to base was conducted without further incident.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1168838 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201404 |
| Local Time Of Day | 0601-1200 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.Airport |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Light | Daylight |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172 |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 91 |
| Flight Phase | Descent |
| Route In Use | Direct |
| Flight Plan | None |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Fuel System |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Single Pilot |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Private |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 6 Flight Crew Total 120 Flight Crew Type 17 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue |
Narrative:
Before takeoff [on my return flight from a short cross country] I did a full preflight; checking fuel and for water in both the tanks and gascolator. When I reached the north side of a [frequent VFR reporting point] I called tower and started my descent to traffic pattern altitude. The engine began to run rough so I applied carb heat with no change. I switched the fuel tank selector from both to right and after no change; returned to both. I advised tower I had to land the airplane; picked a nice grass field and landed safely. Upon landing; I checked the gascolator and tanks. I found water in both. I secured the plane; consulted an a & P; purged the fuel system of water and ran the engine to verify the aircraft was airworthy. I then measured and prepared the field to ensure a safe takeoff and flew the plane back to base without incident.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: The pilot of a C172 returning to base suffered a rough running engine which forced a safely conducted off airport landing. When he sumped the tanks and gascolator he discovered water in both. After appropriate ameliorative; testing and planning measures the flight back to base was conducted without further incident.
Narrative: Before takeoff [on my return flight from a short cross country] I did a full preflight; checking fuel and for water in both the tanks and gascolator. When I reached the north side of a [frequent VFR Reporting Point] I called Tower and started my descent to traffic pattern altitude. The engine began to run rough so I applied carb heat with no change. I switched the fuel tank selector from both to right and after no change; returned to both. I advised Tower I had to land the airplane; picked a nice grass field and landed safely. Upon landing; I checked the gascolator and tanks. I found water in both. I secured the plane; consulted an A & P; purged the fuel system of water and ran the engine to verify the aircraft was airworthy. I then measured and prepared the field to ensure a safe takeoff and flew the plane back to base without incident.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.