Service difficulty report · Pump · Piper PA31350

Difficulty date
April 27, 2001
Submitted
May 29, 2001
Operation
Air carrier
Aircraft
N4501B
Make and model
Piper PA31350
Aircraft serial
318052168
Part
Pump
Part number
2B663FR
Part serial
10AR81
Condition
Failed
Location
Fuel System
Stage of operation
NR
How discovered
O
Nature of condition
O
Precautionary procedure
O

As reported to the FAA. Reports are unverified, and codes are left as the FAA publishes them.

What was found

PILOT REPORTED RT ENG SURGING AT HIGH POWER SETTINGS, WITH FULL FUEL FLOW FLUXUATIONS, 23-30 PSI FUEL PRESSURE FLUX, AND INTERMITTENT LOW PRESS FUEL WARNING LITE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE RETAINING CLIP THAT SECURES RELIEF VALVE AND SPRING ASSY IN THE INLINE LOW PRESSURE FUEL BOOST PUMP WAS MISSING. THIS ALLOWED THE SPRING & PLUNGER ASSY TO MOVE INSIDE ITS HSG. TO A POSITION THAT BLOCKED THE EXIT OF THE PUMP. THIS PREVENTED SUFFICIENT FUEL TO THE ENG AT HIGH RPM. REPLACE FUEL PUMP AND ENG OPERATED NORMALLY. COULD HAVE PROVEN HAZARDOUS DURING CRITICAL STAGES OF FLT, RECOMMEND CLOSER INSP PRIOR TO INSTALL.

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