PA-32 Cherokee Six/Lance/Saratoga/6X
Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 40; Flight Crew Total 2200; Flight Crew Type 1300
Situational Awareness; Human-Machine Interface
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; General Declared Emergency; General Maintenance Action
Human Factors; Aircraft
En route VFR about 12 miles north of ZZZ airport and still in cruise I changed fuel tanks from the left tip to the full right tip. I used the fuel pump. About 30 seconds later the engine stammered and lost RPM's. I held altitude as the airspeed diminished to best glide; pulled out my emergency checklist; squawked 7700 and informed ATC that I had an emergency. A Controller suggested that I turn on the fuel pump and I did so. About 30-40 seconds into the incident the engine came back to full RPM. The Controller then suggested alternate air; but I declined to make any changes and proceeded toward the airport; also declining to land at another airport that was closer and a bit behind me because I preferred the flat ground ahead between me and the first airport and also saw that the engine seemed now fully functioning. I landed without incident at the airport. Fire trucks greeted me. I then had the aircraft inspected by a Maintenance facility. I left it with them for over 2 hours. They ran the engine up. They told me that they noticed two inches of fuel in the left tip and the two mains were either very low or dry; and concluded that probably air was sucked in during the switch from the left tip across to the right tip. They said the aircraft seems 'fine' and suggested that I do a thorough run-up before departure. I purchased 44 gallons of fuel; did a thorough run-up and departed and flew without any incident. As there was nothing wrong with the aircraft that required any mechanical work; I did not think that a return-to-service was necessary. I have since flown the aircraft about 12 hours and everything seems fine.
PA32 pilot experiences engine failure 12 miles from destination after switching fuel from the left tip tank to the right. The fuel pump is turned on at the Controller's suggestion and the engine returns to normal operation.