Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Sea
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 150; Flight Crew Total 1100; Flight Crew Type 60
Human-Machine Interface
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue
Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft; Human Factors
I was on a return trip in a North American AT-6 when my engine coughed. I immediately looked down to switch my fuel selector from left reserve to the right tank; the fuel selector was on left; not left reserve. I also saw that I had plenty of fuel in the left tank. Once on the right tank; I began using the manual wobble pump. After several pumps and no response; I declared an emergency; and turned for ZZZ; which was directly off of my wing. Once in contact with Tower; having gotten the gear down and established on a safe approach; I resumed manual wobble pump. On final the engine resumed; and I landed safely. I was able to taxi to the FBO under my own power.
AT-6 pilot reports possible fuel starvation at 4;500 feet and after switching tanks; turns toward a nearby airport. The wobble pump is used during approach and the engine resumes normal operation; but the approach is continued to landing.