Student Pilot Runs Tank Dry, Makes Forced Landing in Thicket and Pond (N7124A)

Accident Overview

A student pilot reported that after about an hour of flight, he switched the fuel selector from both tanks to the left tank. During the descent into his destination area, the engine quit. The pilot stated that he had forgotten to switch tanks and had run the left tank dry.

Pilot Actions

The pilot said he concentrated on flying the airplane and did not attempt to switch tanks or restart the engine. He selected a cotton field as a forced landing area, but overshot it, and the airplane landed in a mesquite thicket.

Forced Landing and Aftermath

After rolling through the thicket, the airplane came to rest in a four-foot-deep stock pond. The pilot did not report any injuries or specific damage beyond the circumstances of the landing.