Incident Overview
During takeoff, the engine of a single-engine airplane began to 'cough' and was unable to produce sufficient power to sustain flight. The pilot landed on the remaining runway, but the airplane overran the runway and struck a ditch and bushes.
Prior Engine Issue
The pilot reported that a similar engine event had occurred a few weeks before the accident. In response, a mechanic replaced the engine-driven fuel pump.
Post-Accident Testing
After the accident, an engine test run was conducted with the second fuel pump (the one installed at the time of the accident) in place. No anomalies were detected during this test run.
Fuel Pump Inspections
Both the first and second fuel pumps were inspected, leak-checked, and flow-tested at the engine manufacturer's facility. The first fuel pump was found to contain an air leak. However, the second fuel pump, which was installed on the engine at the time of the accident, displayed no anomalies that would have prevented its operation on the airplane.
Reinstallation and Subsequent Power Loss
The second fuel pump was reinstalled on the engine, and the engine was reinstalled on the airplane. After the airplane was redelivered, the engine lost power during taxi operations. The mechanic then removed and replaced the second fuel pump with a third pump and adjusted the fuel injector settings.
Repeat Testing
The second engine-driven fuel pump was tested a second time, yielding similar results as the first test.
Resolution
No anomalies have occurred with the engine since the fuel injector adjustment.