19990724009709I

Acft was flying downwind to base when the engine quit, and the acft made an emergency landing in a corn field just off the end of the rwy. (-23) Cessna 183, N8787T sustained minor damage when it overturned during a forced landing at Shiocton, Wisconsin on July 24, 1999. The pilot-in-command and sole occupant of the aircraft, dale j. walker, was not injured. Mr. Walker reported that he had departed the Shiocton Airport with parachute jumpers, released the jumpers and 11,000 feet MSL and descended in alternating left and right turns at a power setting of approximately 15" manifold pressure while periodically checking for carburetor ice. He stated he entered the downwind, reduced power further, put on the carburetor heat, and slowed the aircraft to follow another aircraft ahead in the pattern. He reported that the engine surged twice and then quit. He stated he checked fuel on both but was unable to trouble shoot further because of the low altitude. He reported that aircraft were parked on runway 27 because of a fly-in in progress and because of the aircraft ahead in the pattern he was unable to land on runway 18. He stated he picked a corn field approximately 1/4 mile south of runway 18 for the forced landing. He stated that after the aircraft touched down it gently overturned because of the height of the corn. Mr. Walker reported that the surface temperature at the time of the incident was 90 degrees fahrenheit. He stated the temperature at 11,000 feet was 40 degrees fahrenheit. Mr. Walker stated that the aircraft had been fueled with 20 gallons of auto fuel priot to departure. Inspector robert gay of the milwaukee FSDO inspected the aircraft after had been moved to pulaski airport. No abnormality was found to account for the engine failure. The owner of the aircraft has been advised to notify the FSDO when the engine is to be torn down so FAA personnel can be present.