CEN11LA381

According to the pilot, he performed a normal preflight and run-up of the airplane prior to departure. Shortly after takeoff, the engine’s fuel pressure went to zero. The pilot switched to the right fuel tank and turned on the boost pump but still did not get any fuel pressure. He then turned the airplane back toward the airport and prepared for an engine-out forced landing. During the forced landing in a field, the airplane’s right wing struck the terrain. Fuel was present at the accident site. After the airplane was recovered, the engine-driven fuel pump was removed and examined; no abnormalities were noted, and the pump’s drive coupling was found intact. The rod end bearing connecting the throttle control to the engine’s fuel control was found disconnected. The attaching bolt was damaged, and the nut was not located. Examination of the bolt revealed signatures that were consistent with the bolt and nut being in place at the time of the accident. A reason for the loss of fuel pressure was not found.

On June 8, 2011, about 0815 central daylight time, a Bellanca, 17-30A airplane, N93650, experienced a loss of engine power shortly after departure from the Thompson Field Airport (1TA7), Canton, Texas. The private pilot, sole occupant, received only minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged during the accident. The aircraft was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that he departed the airport after having preformed a normal preflight and run-up. Additionally, he reported that on climb-out from the airport, the fuel pressure went to zero. He switched to the right fuel tank and turned on the boost pump, but still did not get any fuel pressure. He then turned the airplane back towards the airport and prepared for an engine-out, forced landing. The responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector reported that fuel was present in the airplane’s fuel tanks. The inspector also added that the airplane was heavily damaged in the forced landing, including separation of the right wing from the fuselage. The wreckage was recovered and a follow-up exam was conducted at a salvage yard. The engine driven fuel pump was removed from the airplane; no abnormalities were noted with the pump or the pump’s drive coupling; which was intact. The exam found the rod end connecting the throttle control to the engine’s fuel control disconnected. The rod end and bolt (AN3) were sent to the NTSB Materials Laboratory in Washington, D.C., for further examination. The lab found the bolt’s threads were damaged in at least three different patterns. The bolt threads were also heavily flattened and deformed for the entire threaded length. Extraneous metal shavings were found in the thread roots, between several wave deformed threads. The corresponding nut for the AN bolt was not located. No other abnormalities were found with the airplane.