Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 60; Flight Crew Total 120; Flight Crew Type 120
Human-Machine Interface; Situational Awareness; Time Pressure
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue
Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition
Aircraft; Human Factors
The engine began running roughly as I descended toward pattern altitude. I called and reported the engine trouble and was given a vector to [a nearby airport] after I advised I would not be able to make it to [the airport]. The engine eventually died and I landed safely. Upon inspection it appeared the right tank was empty and the left had only two gallons remaining. ATC's command [vector] to turn right might have rendered that fuel unable to gravity feed (but I'm no mechanic). Although I had leaned the mixture often and--what I believed--was correctly; it appears the aircraft was using 11 GPH instead of the planned 8. The only thing I can think of is maybe the power setting was too high (although I believed it was within the eight GPH range and was absolutely in the green arc). We should have easily landed at our fuel stop with more than 45 minutes of fuel remaining.
A C-172 pilot deadsticked to a safe landing at a closer airport when the engine failed due to fuel starvation as he was descending toward his destination.