Pilot Debrief

BEECH C35 near Medina, OH — 2011-07-20

Final reportCEN11LA491
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Date
2011-07-20
Location
Medina, OH, USA
Airport
1G5
Aircraft
BEECH C35
Registration
N1883D
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation due to an age-related failure of the engine-driven fuel pump. Also causal was the failure of the maintenance facility to overhaul the fuel pump and the failure of the operator to ensure that the pump was overhauled.

NTSB narrative

The airplane lost total engine power while climbing through about 200 feet above ground level after takeoff. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the engine-driven fuel pump was leaking fuel through an internal diaphragm and out of a vent hole, thus fuel was not reaching the engine. Although the engine was overhauled about 11 years before the accident, the operator's mechanic stated that there were no records showing that the engine driven fuel pump was overhauled at that time or at any time since it was installed on the engine about 1956. The engine manufacturer recommends that all engine accessories be overhauled when the engine is overhauled.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
CFI could have chosen a different landing area during takeoff.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 6 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents6

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