On August 1, 1996, about 1308 central daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N737DK, registered to Dayton Aviation Inc., leased by Air Venture Flying Club, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, experienced a loss of engine power in cruise flight in the vicinity of Victoria, Mississippi, and crashed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a visual rules flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the pilot reported minor injuries. The flight originated from Columbia, Mississippi, 2 hours 26 minutes before the accident. The pilot stated he initially departed New Orleans, Louisiana, en route for Olive Branch, Mississippi, and diverted into Columbia, Mississippi due to weather. He obtained a weather briefing and departed for his destination airport. He was in cruise flight at 4,000 feet, in contact with Memphis tower, when the engine quit. He informed Memphis tower that he had run out of gas. He made a forced landing to an open field. The airplane collided with trees on the final approach, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. Examination of the airframe, flight controls, and engine assembly revealed no evidence of a precrash mechanical failure or malfunction. The left and right fuel tanks were not ruptured. About 1 1/2 gallons of fuel was drained from the right fuel tank, and about 3 quarts of fuel was drained from the left fuel tank.