Light Sport Aircraft
Flight Crew Private; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 34; Flight Crew Total 1400; Flight Crew Type 233
Troubleshooting; Training / Qualification; Time Pressure; Human-Machine Interface; Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue
Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Inflight Shutdown; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition
Aircraft
Cruising level at 3000 FT MSL (2400 FT AGL); noted four gallons (48 minutes of fuel) in the left tank; and nine gallons (1:48 in the right tank); when the engine started sputtering and stopped. Twice cranked engine to restart. Energized electric boost pump and then focused on safe landing completed farm field landing with no damage or personal injury. In the future I will understand that the fuel pickup can un-port and that light sport fuel gauges are not accurate. I will cruise at a higher altitude to allow more time to trouble shoot fuel starvation issues.
The Reporter stated that in fact the left fuel tank was empty even though it indicated four gallons. The right tank had some fuel but because of the low altitude there was not enough time after the initial start attempt using the empty tank to switch tanks and attempt another start. The Report's concentration shifted to making a safe landing. The aircraft sustained no damage and was trucked to a nearby airport.
A Czech Aero Works pilot made a successful off airport landing after the engine quit because of fuel starvation at a low altitude with the selected fuel tank indicating four gallons when it was actually empty.