PA-28 Cherokee/Archer/Dakota/Pillan/Warrior
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 15; Flight Crew Total 192; Flight Crew Type 189
Situational Awareness; Distraction
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue
Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Human Factors
While cruising we began to have an issue with the engine. I was flying right seat; with [a] safety pilot [in the] left seat. It started to sound like the engine was losing power. [The safety pilot] took over flight controls; we pitched for glide airspeed and turned back towards the runway. Following the emergency checklist; at about 1800ft MSL; we determined that we had run out of fuel in the left tank. After turning the fuel pump on; switching tanks; the engine ran at normal operation. We proceeded without incident. Upon evaluation of the flight; we determined that our personal conversation led to the distraction of using the checklist. Moving forward; all checklists will be completed and double checked to ensure this will not happen again.
[Report narrative contained no additional information.]
Two pilots in a PA28 reported they experienced a power loss when they ran a tank dry while engaged in conversation.