Small aircraft has engine failure due to not switching tanks at level off.

Attributes
ACN	236258
Time
Date	199303
Day	Sat
Local Time Of Day	1801 To 2400
Place
Locale Reference	atc facility : 2i2
State Reference	KY
Altitude	msl bound lower : 4500 msl bound upper : 8000
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Night
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	artcc : zid tower : ftw
Operator	general aviation : personal
Make Model Name	Small Aircraft, Low Wing, 1 Eng, Retractable Gear
Flight Phase	cruise other
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	Other
Function	flight crew : single pilot
Qualification	pilot : instrument pilot : commercial
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 20 flight time total : 1740 flight time type : 420
ASRS Report	236258
Person 2
Affiliation	government : faa
Function	controller : radar
Qualification	controller : radar
Events
Anomaly	altitude deviation : excursion from assigned altitude non adherence : clearance other anomaly other
Independent Detector	aircraft equipment other aircraft equipment : unspecified
Resolutory Action	flight crew : returned to intended course or assigned course flight crew : declared emergency other
Consequence	Other
Supplementary
Primary Problem	Flight Crew Human Performance
Air Traffic Incident	Pilot Deviation

Narrative:

On an IFR flight plan to tel, in, WX was clear. Flying just northwest of 2i2, the engine failed due to an auxiliary tank being run empty. I called ZID to direct me to the closest airport which was 2i2, ky. While I restarted the engine, I lost approximately 3500 ft. After restarting the engine, I called the controller to climb back to 8000 ft and continue on my flight plan route. Reason for the fuel running out on the auxiliary tank was that I failed to switch to another tank after leveling off after climb out.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: SMA HAS ENG FAILURE DUE TO NOT SWITCHING TANKS AT LEVEL OFF.

Narrative: ON AN IFR FLT PLAN TO TEL, IN, WX WAS CLR. FLYING JUST NW OF 2I2, THE ENG FAILED DUE TO AN AUX TANK BEING RUN EMPTY. I CALLED ZID TO DIRECT ME TO THE CLOSEST ARPT WHICH WAS 2I2, KY. WHILE I RESTARTED THE ENG, I LOST APPROX 3500 FT. AFTER RESTARTING THE ENG, I CALLED THE CTLR TO CLB BACK TO 8000 FT AND CONTINUE ON MY FLT PLAN RTE. REASON FOR THE FUEL RUNNING OUT ON THE AUX TANK WAS THAT I FAILED TO SWITCH TO ANOTHER TANK AFTER LEVELING OFF AFTER CLB OUT.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2007 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.