A C-310 pilot intentionally ran a fuel tank dry but the engine did not restart after available fuel ...

Attributes
ACN	1060004
Time
Date	201301
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.ARTCC
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	IMC
Light	Night
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Cessna 310/T310C
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Cruise
Route In Use	Direct
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Fuel System
Person 1
Function	Single Pilot Pilot Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Commercial Flight Crew Instrument
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 26 Flight Crew Total 2244 Flight Crew Type 169
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude Deviation - Procedural Clearance Deviation - Track / Heading All Types Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue

Narrative:

I was cruising at 10;000 ft altitude to return from consulting out of town. I was between layers in a very dark sky. No stars; no ground lights.I was running the starboard engine on the nearly empty aux tank; waiting to change to main tank when the fuel pressure dropped.the engine lost power; I switched the tank fuel valve; engine stopped. I waited for the engine to regain power; but nothing happened. I couldn't see the prop as it was too dark. I assumed that it was windmilling as our training practice engine outs usually had difficulty stopping the windmilling.I concentrated on keeping wings level and the speed up. I gave full power to both engines. I did not feather as I knew that the engine should start up.center called me stating that I was off course and had lost nearly 3;000 ft. I informed [center] that I was having some difficulty. They asked if I needed assistance; or needed to declare an emergency. I said not now; I'll call if I need to. They informed me I was 10 miles from the nearest airport.I finally was able to see that the prop was stopped so I hit the starter and the engine started. I informed center that I was going to climb back to 10;000 ft and continue.the remainder of the flight was normal.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A C-310 pilot intentionally ran a fuel tank dry but the engine did not restart after available fuel was selected. So; after losing 3;000 FT he used the engine starter to regain power and return to his filed altitude.

Narrative: I was cruising at 10;000 FT altitude to return from consulting out of town. I was between layers in a very dark sky. No stars; no ground lights.I was running the starboard engine on the nearly empty aux tank; waiting to change to main tank when the fuel pressure dropped.The engine lost power; I switched the tank fuel valve; engine stopped. I waited for the engine to regain power; but nothing happened. I couldn't see the prop as it was too dark. I assumed that it was windmilling as our training practice engine outs usually had difficulty stopping the windmilling.I concentrated on keeping wings level and the speed up. I gave full power to both engines. I did not feather as I knew that the engine should start up.Center called me stating that I was off course and had lost nearly 3;000 FT. I informed [Center] that I was having some difficulty. They asked if I needed assistance; or needed to declare an emergency. I said not now; I'll call if I need to. They informed me I was 10 miles from the nearest airport.I finally was able to see that the prop was stopped so I hit the starter and the engine started. I informed Center that I was going to climb back to 10;000 FT and continue.The remainder of the flight was normal.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

A C-310 pilot intentionally ran a fuel tank dry but the engine did not restart after available fuel was selected. So; after losing 3;000 ft he used the engine starter to regain power and return to his filed altitude.