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.
| Incident date | September 12, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Flight | PA46 |
| Aircraft | PIPER PA46310P |
| Registration | N383SA |
| Affected area | Engine |
| Event type | Fire |
| Verification | Official |
Sources
- FAA SDR: N383SA fire report on 2025-09-12 (external.apic4e.faa.gov)
This entry summarizes publicly reported information and links to the original reporting or official record. Details can change as authorities and operators release additional information.