What was found
DURING A PLANNED FLIGHT FROM FORT WORTH MEACHAM (KFTW) TO KENOSHA, WI (KENW), THE PILOT OF A PIPER PA-46-310P MALIBU EXPERIENCED A FUEL SYSTEM ANOMALY. APPROXIMATELY 3 HOURS INTO THE FLIGHT AT FL230, THE PILOT OBSERVED THE INDICATED FUEL QUANTITY DECREASING THREE TIMES FASTER THAN THE FUEL TOTALIZER SHOWED. SUSPECTING A LEAK, THE PILOT DIVERTED TO AURORA, IL (KARR) TO REMAIN CLEAR OF CHICAGO CLASS B AIRSPACE. DURING DESCENT, FUEL GAUGES SHOWED CRITICALLY LOW QUANTITIES. AN EMERGENCY WAS DECLARED WITH CHICAGO APPROACH. ON FINAL, THE ENGINE BEGAN SURGING AND QUIT COMPLETELY WITH LESS THAN 5 GALLONS INDICATED. THE PILOT EXECUTED A SUCCESSFUL DEAD-STICK LANDING ON RUNWAY 27 AT KARR WITH NO DAMAGE. POST-LANDING INSPECTION REVEALED BLUE FUEL STAINING IN THE NOSE GEAR WELL. MAINTENANCE INVESTIGATION BY J.A. AIR CENTER CONFIRMED THE ENGINE-DRIVEN FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED, LEAKING FUEL INTO THE WHEEL WELL NEAR THE EXHAUST CROSSOVER TUBE, PRESENTING A FIRE HAZARD. THE PUMP WAS REPLACED AND THE AIRCRAFT RETURNED TO SERVICE.