Small Aircraft; Low Wing; 1 Eng; Retractable Gear
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 20; Flight Crew Total 1400; Flight Crew Type 400
Situational Awareness; Time Pressure; Workload; Distraction; Communication Breakdown
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue
Flight Crew Inflight Shutdown; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach
Human Factors
I intended to land on Runway 30 for a fuel stop and overnight stay before continuing to my home base. The trip started in the morning and I had stopped and refueled enroute; filling one main fuel tank and both tip tanks for a total of 79.5 gallons; which would provide 5 1/2 hours of fuel at 14 GPH. Enroute I switched tanks approximately every 15 minutes to reduce weight on the tip tanks for landing. While approaching the airport from the west; I had numerous Traffic Information System (TIS) targets within eight miles of the airport. I became preoccupied with the task of obtaining visual contact with the TIS reported traffic. During the landing approach; I concentrated on identification of the runway layout as the airport was an unfamiliar airport to me. I slowed the aircraft while approaching; lowered the landing gear and 1/2 flaps; and reported downwind and then left base; announcing my intentions and position over the common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF). While on short final approach; another aircraft that had been holding short of the runway suddenly moved into position for takeoff. I did not recall if I had reported turning final approach over the CTAF; as is my usual practice. I also did not recall whether the other aircraft reported over the CTAF he was taxiing into position for takeoff. I announced that I was going around and began a right turn away from the runway so as to not overtake the departing aircraft. When I advanced the throttle; the engine stopped. I immediately announced over the CTAF that I had lost power and someone asked whether it was a real loss of power. I replied 'affirmative' and landed in an open field across a river from the approach end. The landing was uneventful; smooth; with no damage to the aircraft or property. After landing; I discovered that the left fuel tip tank read 'empty' and the fuel selector was on the left tip tank. I had inadvertently forgotten to select the main fuel tank prior to landing. The main fuel tank had approximately 30 gallons remaining and the right tip tank had approximately 12 gallons. I was able to start the engine on the ground and reposition the plane to a better location on the field. I believe that the factors involved distraction while approaching an unfamiliar airport; also that I did not use a checklist; resulting in fuel starvation.
A pilot on approach executed a go around because of traffic on the runway and because he failed to switch fuel tanks the engine quit from fuel exhaustion so he landed adjacent to the runway without damage.