Event Description
The airplane experienced a loss of engine power during the initial climb after departure. The pilot executed a 180-degree turn in an attempt to return to the airport, but the aircraft landed short of the runway.
Fuel System and Emergency Procedures
The airplane was equipped with a hand-operated emergency fuel pump integrated into the fuel selector valve. According to the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH), the emergency hand pump should be used to restore fuel pressure in the event of an engine-driven pump failure. The pilot reported that he never attempted to use the emergency hand fuel pump during the incident.
On-Scene Examination
Examination at the accident site revealed fuel present in both main tanks. The engine-driven fuel pump, a Lear-Romec unit, was examined and its coupling was found to be sheared and separated. Internal inspection of the pump showed bluing of the steel pump vane tips and galling (wear) of the pump liner. According to the pump manufacturer, the pump had at some point been operated without fuel—which normally cools the vanes—and had consequently overheated.
Metallurgical Analysis
Metallurgical examination of the failed fuel pump coupling determined that it separated due to ductile torsional overstress at a location designed for that failure mode.
Service History
Available records indicated that the fuel pump had accumulated approximately 619 hours of operation since its last overhaul. The total operating time of the pump was unknown.