Narrative:

I obtained a ferry permit to reposition the aircraft for the purpose of completing an annual inspection. Estimated flight time of 24 minutes. Estimated fuel needed with 30 minute reserve 10 gals. A 100 hour inspection was completed prior to obtaining the ferry permit. I am the owner. I conducted a normal preflight based on the owner's manual which is minimal. Visually inspected fuel tanks; knew there was less than half tanks; since that's the normal operation for the plane. Sumped two wing tanks and two fuel drains. Fuel stream consistent with normal amount of fuel. No debris or water. Lens between fuselage and wing fuel indicator; excessively dirty. Misread gauge. I expected to see greater than 1/8 tank. Indicated 1/8 tank. Reads lower on ground that in flight. Angle of incidence is higher on the ground.I have a calibrated fuel dip stick. With less than half tanks; fuel dip isn't accurate; essentially no fuel seen under filler neck. Normal taxi; run up. Engine was run at greater than 75% to break in new engine. Higher than normal fuel burn [which] I did not take into account. Went overhead airport to airport at 3;000 ft; which is higher than I normally cruise that route; anticipating potential problems with new engine or installation. Seven miles from destination; engine started running rough. Then stopped. Attempted unsuccessful restart. Then prepared for off airport landing. Normally with that aircraft; fuel is always added for estimated duration of flight. Fuel measurement system device wouldn't have been effective since estimation was inaccurate.

Google
 

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: An Aeronca 7KCAB suffered fuel starvation on a maintenance repositioning flight.

Narrative: I obtained a ferry permit to reposition the aircraft for the purpose of completing an annual inspection. Estimated flight time of 24 minutes. Estimated fuel needed with 30 minute reserve 10 gals. A 100 hour inspection was completed prior to obtaining the ferry permit. I am the owner. I conducted a normal preflight based on the owner's manual which is minimal. Visually inspected fuel tanks; knew there was less than half tanks; since that's the normal operation for the plane. Sumped two wing tanks and two fuel drains. Fuel stream consistent with normal amount of fuel. No debris or water. Lens between fuselage and wing fuel indicator; excessively dirty. Misread gauge. I expected to see greater than 1/8 tank. Indicated 1/8 tank. Reads lower on ground that in flight. Angle of incidence is higher on the ground.I have a calibrated fuel dip stick. With less than half tanks; fuel dip isn't accurate; essentially no fuel seen under filler neck. Normal taxi; run up. Engine was run at greater than 75% to break in new engine. Higher than normal fuel burn [which] I did not take into account. Went overhead airport to airport at 3;000 FT; which is higher than I normally cruise that route; anticipating potential problems with new engine or installation. Seven miles from destination; engine started running rough. Then stopped. Attempted unsuccessful restart. Then prepared for off airport landing. Normally with that aircraft; fuel is always added for estimated duration of flight. Fuel measurement system device wouldn't have been effective since estimation was inaccurate.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.