PA-32 Cherokee Six/Lance/Saratoga/6X
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 400; Flight Crew Total 970; Flight Crew Type 400
Training / Qualification
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Aircraft; Human Factors; Procedure
After takeoff climbing to cruise altitude; we lost engine power. I; as the instructor; took flight controls and [notified ATC]. I was able to restart the engine while being low to the ground and made it back to [our departure] airport. Upon landing I saw that the left fuel tank was empty. The student had verified that the tanks were filled to the tabs; however it drained out after takeoff.
PA-32 Instructor reported a loss of engine power due to a loss of fuel from the left fuel tank.