Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 4; Flight Crew Total 310; Flight Crew Type 111
Training / Qualification; Troubleshooting; Situational Awareness; Confusion
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue
Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Inflight Shutdown
Manuals; Human Factors
I was operating a Cessna 172 at 2000 ft. AGL when the engine failed without warning. It was determined that a return to the airport could not be attempted; and spring time meant soft fields; so an approach to a near-by blacktop roadway was conducted. The road was surveyed for power lines and traffic on the down-wind and a turn was made into the wind to finish the approach. Upon completion of the landing roll it was noticed that the fuel selector valve was positioned to the OFF position. When positioned to BOTH the aircraft was able to be re-started and returned to the airport without further issues.I used Foreflight checklist for preflight inspection; which was conducted step by step. On Foreflight the 'Before Starting Engine' checklist and the 'Before Takeoff' checklist contain the step that instructs the PIC to check the position of the fuel selector valve; but not the 'Pre-flight' checklist. Since I had flown 300 plus hours in the area; I decided to put my Ipad in my flight bag after the pre-flight inspection and use the Cessna checklists for the remainder of the startup. The Cessna 'Before Start' checklist and 'Before Takeoff' checklist do not have steps that include the fuel selector valve.  Due to not flying for two months I decided that I should stay local and therefore; decided I didn't need my Ipad strapped to my knee. Had I done that; as I usually would have; the emergency checklist would have been readily available and the fuel selector valve would have been caught on the descent and the engine may have been able to be re-started.
A pilot reported their engine quit so they landed safely on a road where they discovered the fuel selector valve was in the off position. They departed the road and returned to their airport.