PA-32 Cherokee Six/Lance/Saratoga/6X
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 68; Flight Crew Total 435; Flight Crew Type 30
Troubleshooting; Time Pressure; Situational Awareness; Distraction; Confusion; Workload
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Ground Event / Encounter Fuel Issue; Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Inflight Shutdown; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport
Aircraft
During preflight fuel was indicated as follows in the 4 tank system in the PA32. L Tip 15 gal; L Main 4 gal; R Main 11 gal; R Tip 17 gal. Through past experience in this aircraft; the gauges had an accuracy of +/- 1 gallon and were considered to be accurate. Fuel was visible in all tanks. I started and taxied on R main tank with the intention of burning fuel from the R main tank to match the L main level. The handbook recommends exhaustion of the main tanks before using the tip tanks. The flight that was going to be conducted was expected to be less than 45 minutes with an expected burn of 12 gallons. Indicated fuel onboard was 47 gallons. Takeoff was accomplished with the fuel selected on R Main tank. At 500 feet as I just started my climbing left-hand turn engine power was suddenly lost. I immediately [advised the tower] and requested Runway XX for an landing. Because I was at such a low altitude I was only focused on airspeed and the best place to land; not restarting the engine. Luckily I had a local flight instructor on board who troubleshot while I flew the airplane. After switching to a tank with fuel (R tip) power was restored almost immediately. I was a bit high and fast for a Runway XX landing and had I continued for runway XX I would have had a significant tailwind. With power restored I elected to land into the wind on Runway XYR because I deemed I was within glide even if power was lost again. I landed on Runway XYR uneventfully. After shutting down it was discovered that R Main tank was completely empty however the gauge was still indicating approximately 11 gallons. Many lessons were learned and I am going to employ the following actions to prevent a reoccurrence. Have fuel gauge for R main inspected and repaired. Heavily scrutinize the level of fuel observed vs the level of fuel indicated on the preflight.
Pilot of a single engine aircraft reported losing engine power on departure; returned to the airport; and landed safely. The reporter stated after landing they discovered the fuel gauge was inoperative.