Flight Crew Student; Other Sport/Gyro; Student/Fixed
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 86; Flight Crew Total 840; Flight Crew Type 68
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue
Flight Crew Inflight Shutdown; Flight Crew Diverted
Aircraft
On final approach to ZZZ in perfect VFR conditions landing Runway XX; my aircraft experienced power loss. I had just completed two S turns for spacing (authorized by ATC) and after leveling for short final the engine started to sputter. I had 8 gallons of fuel on board. I was 800 feet AGL and 0.25 miles from the runway. I realized I was not going to clear the airport fence and immediately diverted to an adjacent concrete culvert adjacent to the airport. The engine stopped prior to my landing. I touched down on the mains at 66 knots. No damage to the aircraft or property occurred. No individuals or myself were harmed. I was flying solo. I experienced loss of power likely due to fuel starvation NOT exhaustion. There is a possible issue with the fuel valve selector that may have contributed to air getting into the fuel lines. The S turns on final may have also contributed to fuel sloshing around in the tanks and air being drawn into the system. I plan on changing the fuel valve selector and avoid S turns on final in the future.
Student pilot flying experimental aircraft reported engine power loss on final approach. Conducted off airport landing without incident.