Accident Summary
The pilot of the aircraft reported that during a local flight, he entered a left downwind for runway 27 at Gratiot Community Airport in Alma, Michigan. This occurred after approximately one hour of flight. He then switched to the other fuel tank, which he believed was full. Shortly after switching, he encountered a loss of engine power. The aircraft landed short of the runway and came to rest in a ditch parallel to the runway.
Pilot Actions
During the preflight inspection, the pilot determined that both fuel tanks were full and that everything was in order. After the engine power loss, he observed the fuel tank indicator and checked the fuel selector valve. The valve seemed to be firmly in place.
Post-Accident Inspection
A subsequent inspection of the aircraft found that the engine had no fuel in its systems. The number 6 fuel line, which connects the fuel selector valve to the engine-driven fuel pump, was dry. When the selector valve was moved to the left-hand and right-hand positions with the electric fuel boost pump turned on, fuel flowed from the engine fuel pump outlet to the fuel control unit.