C182 pilot transporting skydivers reports engine failure at 5000 feet. After evacuating jumpers; reporter glides to safe landing at departure airport.

Narrative

While flying skydivers in a Cessna 182 I experienced a loss of power. I attributed the loss of power to an engine malfunction and ran through the emergency checklist. I evacuated jumpers and ran through the emergency checklist again. I could not restart the engine. I contacted approach and advised them of the situation and executed a forced landing on the runway from 5000 feet. There was no damage to the airplane; or any person; or anything on the ground. After landing; it was determined that the fuel selector was positioned on the right tank. There was fuel remaining in the left tank. I missed the fuel selector lever on the emergency checklist which starved the engine of fuel. Proper fuel management would have prevented the loss of power. Improper preflight. Before taking off; I should have calculated how much fuel was available in both tanks. Improper in flight fuel management. In flight; I should have known how much fuel was in each tank and managed the fuel flow. Improper attention to the emergency checklist. When engine gauges showed signs of incipient failure; proper attention to the emergency checklist would have prevented a forced landing.