PA-28 student pilot and Instructor reported while changing fuel tanks during flight the engine began to sputter. After switching cross feed back to the original tank the engine ran normally and the flight continued to destination.
Synopsis
PA-28 student pilot and Instructor reported while changing fuel tanks during flight the engine began to sputter. After switching cross feed back to the original tank the engine ran normally and the flight continued to destination.
Narrative
We left on Aircraft X with fuel to the tabs; fuel to the tabs is 17 gallons per side with a total of 34 gallons. Our destination was ZZZ1 to do a VOR approach circle to land. The entire flight we were monitoring fuel consumption and doing the proper change of tanks consumption every 30 minutes.After our touch and go at ZZZ1 we headed back to our airport of origin ZZZ; 40NM out we requested ILS Runway XXR. Approach vectored us 3 miles away from the final approach fix; we switch fuel tanks and we notice that the engine started to sputter and fuel pressure dropped to 0. After the engine sputtered and fuel pressure was on 0; we switched tanks back to the one we had working. After we switched the engine sputtered for a quick second and pressure returned to a normal reading. we decided to [advise ATC] to be cautious; no issues occurred afterward.After several hours of the situation and making mental recollection of what happened in our flight I am thinking that we could have moved the fuel tank switch more than normal which could have led to a restriction on the fuel pressure and fuel flow to the engine. we landed with 45 minutes of fuel.
Second reporter narrative
We left on Aircraft X with fuel to the tabs; fuel to the tabs is 17 gals per side with a total of 34 gals. Our destination was ZZZ1 to do a VOR approach circle to land. The entire flight we were monitoring fuel consumption and doing the proper change of tanks consumption every 30 mins.After our touch and go at ZZZ1 we headed back to our airport of origin ZZZ; 40 NM out we requested ILS Runway XXR. Approach vectored us 3 miles away from the final approach fix; we switch fuel tanks and we notice that the engine started to sputter and fuel pressure dropped to 0. After the engine sputtered and fuel pressure was on 0; we switched tanks back to the one we had working. After we switched the engine sputtered for a quick second and pressure returned to a normal reading. We decided to declare an emergency to be cautious; no issues occurred afterward.After several hours of the situation and making mental recollection of what happened in our flight I am thinking that we could have moved the fuel tank switch more than normal that could have led to have a restriction on the fuel pressure and fuel flow to the engine. We landed with 45 minutes of gas.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.