PA32 pilot reports destination weather below minimums at the same time it is discovered engine loses...

Narrative:

Departed with IFR clearance to where forecast weather was within IFR limits. However; as we rechecked weather on the destination AWOS conditions were deteriorating. About that time we had what we considered a fuel emergency involving our left tank or fuel pump and declared emergency asking ATC to have us land at our alternate. Although we estimated 1 1/2 hours of fuel left in aircraft; we were afraid to put selector back on left tank and initiated an ILS approach. Came down to approximately 500 ft MSL and couldn't make the landing safely and asked controller to vector us to ZZZ airport which was VFR. He did; and we landed VFR without incident. Supplemental information from acn 819527: I was in the right seat of the aircraft; handling radio calls and clearances. A commercial rated pilot was pilot in command. Flight departed on a 50 minute planned IFR flight. Weather at destination and alternates was above IFR minimums; and forecast to be so upon arrival. While talking with approach; checked ASOS for destination and found weather deteriorating rapidly to minimums. Pilot in command elected to switch from right fuel tank to left fuel tank; with boost pump on; and engine began losing power at approximately 2;200 ft MSL. I rechecked ASOS; weather now 200+ ft; 1/4) -- unicom stated ground visibility very foggy. Asked for vectors to alternate for ILS. Got right tank reselected and told controller we had a fuel pressure problem -- needed to land. During vectors for ILS; weather rapidly deteriorated (100 ft; 1/4) but elected to continue for landing. Pilot in command flew approach to 500 ft MSL; but went missed. At departure end of runway 11; pilot in command spotted runway and tried to circle to land; but could not maintain visual contact. Pilot in command went missed and we were vectored to ZZZ without further incident.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: PA32 pilot reports destination weather below minimums at the same time it is discovered engine loses power when switched to left tank. Approach to alternate is unsuccessful and Reporters receive vectors to airport with VMC.

Narrative: Departed with IFR clearance to where forecast weather was within IFR limits. However; as we rechecked weather on the destination AWOS conditions were deteriorating. About that time we had what we considered a fuel emergency involving our left tank or fuel pump and declared emergency asking ATC to have us land at our alternate. Although we estimated 1 1/2 hours of fuel left in aircraft; we were afraid to put selector back on left tank and initiated an ILS approach. Came down to approximately 500 FT MSL and couldn't make the landing safely and asked Controller to vector us to ZZZ airport which was VFR. He did; and we landed VFR without incident. Supplemental information from ACN 819527: I was in the right seat of the aircraft; handling radio calls and clearances. A commercial rated pilot was Pilot in Command. Flight departed on a 50 minute planned IFR flight. Weather at destination and alternates was above IFR minimums; and forecast to be so upon arrival. While talking with Approach; checked ASOS for destination and found weather deteriorating rapidly to minimums. Pilot in Command elected to switch from right fuel tank to left fuel tank; with boost pump on; and engine began losing power at approximately 2;200 FT MSL. I rechecked ASOS; weather now 200+ FT; 1/4) -- Unicom stated ground visibility very foggy. Asked for vectors to alternate for ILS. Got right tank reselected and told Controller we had a fuel pressure problem -- needed to land. During vectors for ILS; weather rapidly deteriorated (100 FT; 1/4) but elected to continue for landing. Pilot in Command flew approach to 500 FT MSL; but went missed. At departure end of Runway 11; Pilot in Command spotted runway and tried to circle to land; but could not maintain visual contact. Pilot in Command went missed and we were vectored to ZZZ without further incident.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.

Attributes
ACN	819526
Time
Date	200901
Local Time Of Day	1801-2400
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	Mixed
Light	Night
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	PA-32 Cherokee Six/Lance/Saratoga/6X
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Landing
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Fuel System
Person 1
Function	Pilot Flying Single Pilot
Qualification	Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Commercial
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 60 Flight Crew Total 1450 Flight Crew Type 30
Person 2
Function	Passenger
Qualification	Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Flight Instructor Flight Crew Commercial Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 60 Flight Crew Total 12000 Flight Crew Type 150
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence

PA32 pilot reports destination weather below minimums at the same time it is discovered engine loses power when switched to left tank. Approach to alternate is unsuccessful and reporters receive vectors to airport with VMC.