DA40 flight instructor with student reports a low fuel pressure indication at 9;000 ft and elected t...

Narrative:

I was flying the DA40-180cs diamond star with my instrument student on an instructional flight. We had previously gotten a weather briefing and filed an IFR flight plan. While we were en-route at 9;000 ft MSL; we noticed a low fuel pressure annunciator come on. I immediately went through the checklist and went through the troubleshooting. At this point I decided to divert back to our departure airport. I asked for a right hand turn vector to 270 degrees in order to return back to the airport. The approach controller had me descend to the following altitudes of 7;000; 3;000; and 1;500 ft in order to avoid wake turbulence from departing aircraft. When I was I was able to see the airfield I asked for a visual approach. The controller asked how many gallons and souls were on board and stated that there would be fire trucks waiting on the taxiway as a precaution for me. I told the controller that there were 35 gallons on board; two souls; and thank you for the assistance. I was able to safely land the airplane back to the return airport. One of the fire trucks followed me to the parking spot back at the FBO. I thanked the controller for the assistance; shut down the airplane; and downed the aircraft for a maintenance inspection.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: DA40 flight instructor with student reports a low fuel pressure indication at 9;000 FT and elected to return to the departure airport for a precautionary landing.

Narrative: I was flying the DA40-180cs Diamond Star with my instrument student on an instructional flight. We had previously gotten a weather briefing and filed an IFR flight plan. While we were en-route at 9;000 FT MSL; we noticed a Low Fuel Pressure Annunciator come on. I immediately went through the checklist and went through the troubleshooting. At this point I decided to divert back to our departure airport. I asked for a right hand turn vector to 270 degrees in order to return back to the airport. The Approach Controller had me descend to the following altitudes of 7;000; 3;000; and 1;500 FT in order to avoid wake turbulence from departing aircraft. When I was I was able to see the airfield I asked for a visual approach. The Controller asked how many gallons and souls were on board and stated that there would be fire trucks waiting on the taxiway as a precaution for me. I told the Controller that there were 35 gallons on board; two souls; and thank you for the assistance. I was able to safely land the airplane back to the return airport. One of the fire trucks followed me to the parking spot back at the FBO. I thanked the Controller for the assistance; shut down the airplane; and downed the aircraft for a maintenance inspection.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Attributes
ACN	914667
Time
Date	201010
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	DA40 Diamond Star
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Cruise
Route In Use	Direct
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Powerplant Fuel System
Person 1
Function	Pilot Not Flying Instructor
Qualification	Flight Crew Commercial Flight Crew Flight Instructor Flight Crew Glider Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Multiengine
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 70 Flight Crew Total 1485 Flight Crew Type 450
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe

DA40 flight instructor with student reports a low fuel pressure indication at 9;000 ft and elected to return to the departure airport for a precautionary landing.