PA-34-200 Seneca I
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Commercial
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 158; Flight Crew Total 1371; Flight Crew Type 23
Troubleshooting; Situational Awareness; Time Pressure
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Inflight Shutdown
Aircraft
Departed Runway XXR for a right downwind VFR ZZZ departure. I was told to do ZZZ departure; 1600 VFR and contact approach. Upon contacting approach [Co-Pilot]; I leveled off at 1600 feet then started the Cruise Checklist. Turned left fuel pump off; then once the right fuel pump was turned off we felt right yaw. When I put the fuel pump back on for the right engine; there was no change in fuel flow or RPM. Then I verified with right throttle back; no change in performance or RPM in right engine. I decided to secure the engine and did the feathering procedures; I asked [Co-Pilot] to verify with the emergency checklist and returned back for a landing. As I was securing the engine; [Co-Pilot] told Approach that there was a loss of power in the right engine and want to turn back to ZZZ for a landing. Approach asked if [we wanted to request priority handling]; [Co-Pilot] asked me to verify if I wanted to [Request Priority Handling]; and I said yes. [Co-Pilot Requested Priority Handling] with Approach; and squawked 7700. Approached told us to turn right back to the airport; and contact ZZZ Tower. Switched to Tower frequency; and again [Co-Pilot] said 'Mayday Mayday Mayday;' and Tower said cleared to land Runway XXR. Landed safely and smoothly. Taxied back to parking and tied down aircraft.
Piper PA-34 Seneca pilot reported a loss of power on the right engine due to a suspected fuel system anomaly.