Fuel Exhaustion Over Unsuitable Terrain (N2460C)

Incident Overview and Pilot Account A pilot reported experiencing a power loss due to fuel exhaustion while flying over unsuitable terrain. During a telephone interview, the pilot stated that the aircraft departed with one fuel tank full and the other at three-quarters capacity. In a subsequent written report, the pilot explained that he was cruising at 75 percent power with the intent to run the engine hard to help it break in properly. He described leaning the engine mixture until it ran rough and then enriching it until it ran smoothly. The aircraft was airborne for 3.2 hours before the incident occurred.