Service difficulty report · Drive Assy · Piper PA31

Difficulty date
November 25, 2005
Submitted
June 6, 2006
Operation
General aviation
Make and model
Piper PA31
Aircraft time
13,680 hours
Engine
Lyc TIO540A2B
Propeller
Hartzl HCE3YR1
Part
Drive Assy
Condition
Sheared
Location
Fuel Pump
Part time
155 hours
Component
Fuel Pump
Component part number
200F5002
Stage of operation
CR
How discovered
9
Nature of condition
R, J
Precautionary procedure
A

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

What was found

IN CRUISE, WHEN LT ENGINE LOST POWER. CREW RETARDED THROTTLE AND CALLED ATC. DURING THIS TIME, DISCOVERED NO FUEL PRESSURE INDICATED ON LT ENGINE AND SELECTED BOOST PUMP ON. REGAINED FULL POWER AND LANDED AT THE CLOSEST PRACTICAL AIRPORT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED PUMP DRIVE ON AFFECTED FUEL PUMP TO BE SHEARED OFF IN THE SHEAR AREA, ALTHOUGH THE PUMP APPEARS UNDAMAGED AND TURNS NORMALLY. ENGINE WAS INSPECTED, PUMP REPLACED WITH A SERVICEABLE PUMP, AND THE AIRCRAFT RETURNED TO SERVICE. DUE TO THE FACT THAT THIS PUMP IS ONLY 155.1 HOURS SINCE NEW, IT IS SCHEDULED TO BE SENT TO KELLY AEROSPACE FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION.

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