On September 21, 2002, a Beech V35 (registration N9486S) was involved in an aviation accident near Del Rio, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The low-pressure fuel pump deteriorated internally, with broken pins allowing a metal fragment to wedge in the engine-driven fuel pump vanes, shearing the pump shaft and causing the engine to quit. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot reported a complete engine failure at 100 feet AGL after takeoff. Investigation revealed the low-pressure fuel pump had deteriorated internally, with broken pins allowing a metal fragment to jam the engine-driven pump, shearing its shaft.
Engine Failure After Takeoff
According to the pilot, after takeoff, just as the landing gear had cycled up at about 100 feet above ground level (AGL), the engine quit completely. The pilot switched fuel tanks and turned on the boost pump, but these actions had no effect. He selected a field to land in and extended the landing gear and flaps for landing.
Examination of the Airplane
Post-incident examination of the airplane revealed that the low-pressure fuel pump had deteriorated and had come apart internally. The pins that hold the fuel pump vanes in place in the drive wheel were broken. A quarter-inch piece of the tiny metal shafts from the broken pins flowed toward the engine and wedged in the mechanical engine-driven fuel pump vanes. This caused the shaft at the fail point to shear, stopping the engine-driven pump and leading to the engine failure.
Probable cause
The low-pressure fuel pump deteriorated internally, with broken pins allowing a metal fragment to wedge in the engine-driven fuel pump vanes, shearing the pump shaft and causing the engine to quit.
What happened in the 21 Sept 2002 Beech V35 accident near Del Rio, TX?
A pilot reported a complete engine failure at 100 feet AGL after takeoff. Investigation revealed the low-pressure fuel pump had deteriorated internally, with broken pins allowing a metal fragment to jam the engine-driven pump, shearing its shaft.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 21 Sept 2002 involved a Beech V35, registration N9486S, at Del Rio, TX.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The low-pressure fuel pump deteriorated internally, with broken pins allowing a metal fragment to wedge in the engine-driven fuel pump vanes, shearing the pump shaft and causing the engine to quit.
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