PA-32 instructor reported a loss of engine power due to a loss of fuel from the left fuel tank.

Attributes
ACN	1579197
Time
Date	201809
Local Time Of Day	1801-2400
Place
Locale Reference	HEF.Airport
State Reference	VA
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	PA-32 Cherokee Six/Lance/Saratoga/6X
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Initial Climb
Route In Use	Vectors
Flight Plan	VFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Engine
Person 1
Function	Instructor
Qualification	Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Commercial Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 400 Flight Crew Total 970 Flight Crew Type 400
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue

Narrative:

After takeoff climbing to cruise altitude; we lost engine power. I; as the instructor; took flight controls and [notified ATC]. I was able to restart the engine while being low to the ground and made it back to [our departure] airport. Upon landing I saw that the left fuel tank was empty. The student had verified that the tanks were filled to the tabs; however it drained out after takeoff.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: PA-32 Instructor reported a loss of engine power due to a loss of fuel from the left fuel tank.

Narrative: After takeoff climbing to cruise altitude; we lost engine power. I; as the instructor; took flight controls and [notified ATC]. I was able to restart the engine while being low to the ground and made it back to [our departure] airport. Upon landing I saw that the left fuel tank was empty. The student had verified that the tanks were filled to the tabs; however it drained out after takeoff.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site 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.