Incident Overview
The pilot of a general aviation aircraft departed Morristown with 600 pounds of cargo as part of a round trip to McAlester, Oklahoma. Before departure, the pilot requested 60 gallons of fuel but received 59.1 gallons. During the flight, headwinds at altitude averaged 45 knots, and the pilot later reported stronger headwinds than forecast.
Flight Details
After several hours in cruise, the pilot notified Memphis Center air traffic control that a fuel stop in Little Rock, Arkansas would be necessary before continuing. While being vectored by Little Rock Approach to land on Runway 18, the pilot reported an engine failure. The pilot attempted an engine restart, but the aircraft was unable to glide to a nearby airport.
Fuel Management
Following the incident, the fuel selector was found positioned to the left tank. An undetermined amount of fuel remained in the left tank, while the right tank contained approximately 10 gallons of fuel. According to the pilot's normal procedures, the most full fuel tank is selected prior to final approach as part of the prelanding checklist. In this case, selecting the right tank would have provided sufficient fuel for continued powered flight.
Engine and Fuel System Examination
The aircraft engine was run in a test cell and operated without any problems. The fuel system was examined and found to be free of contamination. No mechanical issues were identified that would have contributed to the engine failure.