Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 400; Flight Crew Total 3800; Flight Crew Type 3000
Time Pressure; Workload
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue
Aircraft Equipment Problem Dissipated; Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition
Aircraft; Human Factors
[I performed a] precautionary landing in a cow pasture after experiencing a rough running engine. [I] checked the fuel for water after landing and for carburetor ice as requested by a Local Mechanic. [I] found the fuel selector switch positioned between both and right tank. [I am] not sure if this was done during the emergency check or before landing; since all was so quick because of patrol altitude of around 400 FT. [Note that] we have waivers to fly as low as 200 FT. [I] test ran the engine on the ground several minutes with no problems before taking off. [I then] landed at the nearest airport and topped off the fuel. The aircraft still had 10 plus gallons of fuel on board or over one hour of fuel at 8 gallon per hour burn. No damage to aircraft or property.
The pilot of a C172 performing pipeline inspections experienced a rough running engine and elected to land in a field. He later found that the fuel selector was in a position between both and right; but was unsure how this occurred. He ran up the engine and took off successfully.