Incident Details
Prior to departure, a mechanic observed the pilot spraying fuel from a "squirt bottle" into the air intake of the left engine. The pilot told the mechanic that he had encountered this problem several times before and that it seemed the "engine-driven fuel pump had lost its prime." During the subsequent engine start, a backfire occurred, and a small fire was seen in the engine area. The pilot shut down the engine, and the fire extinguished on its own.
A few minutes later, the pilot restarted the engine, performed a run-up inspection, and departed. At an altitude of 50 feet, the left engine lost power, prompting the pilot to attempt a forced landing. During the landing, the airplane impacted a house and came to rest in the street.
Post-Accident Examination
Examination of the engine revealed that the locking tang from the left electric boost pump had fractured and separated from the pump. A portion of the locking tang was found inside the engine-driven fuel pump. It was noted that the fuel pump drive spline was sheared due to an overstress fracture.