PA-30 Twin Comanche
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Commercial
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 50; Flight Crew Total 1845; Flight Crew Type 871
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue
Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Inflight Shutdown; General Declared Emergency; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Environment - Non Weather Related
The flight was a two stop flight. After a preflight; including fuel sampling; I took off IFR to my first stop. On the way; I used my auxiliary tanks; but switched to the mains for the landing. I landed at the first stop; picked up my friends; and took off. We climbed to 7;000 [FT]. I switched to the right auxiliary; no problem. After about 3 minutes; I switched to the left auxiliary. After a short period; about 15 to 30 seconds; the engine faltered. I immediately switched back to the left main; but could not get the engine going. I reported my loss to Approach; and shut the engine down. I landed uneventfully. I was unable to start the engine on the ground. The mechanics were too busy to look at the plane; so I left the airplane and took a train home. A Mechanic looked at the plane a few days later and said he emptied water from the fuel lines and the engine ran fine. Separate from the above incident; about 35 years ago in this same plane; I was coming back to [a state] and I switched from my tip tank to the auxiliary tank. About 15 minutes later; the engine faltered so I switched to the main and the engine ran fine. Mechanics looked at the plane and told me that the tip/auxiliary solenoid hung up. When I was 'using' the tip tank; I was actually using the auxiliary tank. When I switched at the appropriate time to the auxiliary tank; I inadvertently ran it dry after about 15 minutes. The result of this incident was that the solenoid was replaced.
PA39 pilot experiences engine failure at 7;000 FT due to fuel issues; and is unable to restart the engine. The engine is shut down and the pilot diverted to the nearest suitable airport. Maintenance discovers water in the fuel lines to that engine. A previous fuel issue is also mentioned.