19971105038859I

Narrative: on November 5, 1997 at approximately 10:00 PST, a CE-172 owned in partnership by Mr. Franklin e. welch, was involved in an off airport landing incident during a pleasure flight in the vicinity of Half Moon Bay, CA. VFR conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received minor superficial damage and the pilot and one passenger were not injured. The pilot holds a private pilot certificate with an airplane instrument rating. The flight originated at the reno canyon international airport, reno, NV on November 5, 1997 at approximately 08:00 PST. The pilot, franklin welch departed reno with an estimated 2.30 hrs. Of fuel for a flight estimated to take 1.50 hrs. Enroute to Half Moon Bay. Arriving in the vicinity of Half Moon Bay, he discovered the airport obscured under a stratus overcast which required maneuvering to maintain VFR to get under. At this time he reported that the engine began to run rough and elected to make a precautionary landing in an open field approximately 3 miles south east from the city of Half Moon Bay. Examination of the aircraft by A&P ron chapel and san mateo county sheriff officer, greg pitlock revealed it had not sustained any structural damage. The only superficial damage was to the left wheel fairing. The right fuel gauge indicated empty, the left a quarter full. Both fuel caps were in place and there was no indication of fuel spillage. Both wing and engine fuel sumps revealed no signs of fuel contamination. Both fuel tanks were found to contain minimal amounts of measurable fuel. The aircraft was refueled, runup and flown to Half Moon Bay Airport. Mr. Walsh said he believed that based on his fuel consumption calculation he had enough fuel to complete the flight with VFR reserves. Because of unknown weather conditions he modified his course, lengthening the planned flight. This concludes the investigation and the report is closed. No 8020-17 generated and no pilot deviation.