Amateur/Home Built/Experimental
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 25; Flight Crew Total 22000; Flight Crew Type 200
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue
Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
Returning from a camping trip; while descending over mountains east of ZZZ near ZZZ1 the fuel low level light came on; I checked the fuel and the sight gauge on the right tank showed half full indicating at least 6.5 gallons of fuel. The left tank sight gauge showed empty. Shortly after that the fuel pressure began to fluctuate and the engine began surging. I turned on the second boost pump and moved the stick around to try and keep the engine running. The engine continued to surge but did not quit. However the engine power was not enough to maintain altitude. I continued to descend and decided I would not make the airport. At that time I picked an open; grass field and landed. There was no damage to the aircraft nor any injuries. I called a friend to bring me some fuel. When he arrived I added 8 gallons to the left tank. I had help in pushing the aircraft up onto the county road at which time I started the engine and ran it up to full power. The engine ran with no adverse indications. I took off from the county road and flew to ZZZ. I rechecked the engine operation after topping off both tanks. On my continued trip to my home field; at altitude I turned the left tank valve off. Within 8 to 10 minutes the fuel low level light would illuminate. Turning the left tank back on would extinguish the light. I will be examining the right tank fuel feed system as there could be some kind of blockage.
GA pilot reported making an off airport landing due to fuel starvation.