Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 75; Flight Crew Total 9000; Flight Crew Type 20
Human-Machine Interface; Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition
Aircraft; Human Factors; Procedure
While entering upwind for Runway 18 the engine suddenly quit. An uneventful power off landing was accomplished on Runway 9.The reason for the engine quitting was fuel exhaustion! Prior to the flight a preflight inspection was completed and it was determined that there were two hours of fuel on board for a one hour flight. This was determined by checking the fuel totalizer (indicating 25 gallons onboard) and the aircraft log (that indicated two (2) hours of flight since the last top off). Both sources agreed with one another that at a 12 GPH fuel burn there was adequate fuel for a one hour flight.There was no way to accurately stick the tanks; due to their position/angle when on the ground. The clear tube float gauges have not proven to be very accurate and were looked at; but the decision to make the flight was made using the two means previously addressed; which were referred to in the past and proved accurate.Several things led up to this incident. First; the plane's fuel tanks are placarded to hold 50 usable gallons. Upon landing I could only put in 41.5 gallons. With 2 hours out and a flight planned for one hour; this still should not have presented a problem.The only other explanation is that the tanks were not completely 'topped off'; making all other calculations invalid. The totalizer will also have to be re-calibratedThough the outcome was OK; this was a very embarrassing moment for a Gold Seal Master CFI; who is always preaching 'time in the tanks' and who flies conservatively in every other way.When pre-flighting other aircraft I fly will continue as usual with a visual confirmation of the fuel quantity. For this aircraft and others that are not easily 'sticked' or visually inspected; I will be more cautious on determining how much fuel is on board and will adjust expected endurance figures downward.
A UPF7 pilot landed dead stick after the engine failed due to fuel exhaustion while entering the pattern.