I suppose if it turns out that he had a fuel pump failure that may have been a viable option. Otherwise, if it was an engine failure or simply a lake of performance, the emergency position would not likely have helped. IIRC, there is only one pump, the emergency position is simply a higher pressure setting on the same pump.
I should have elaborated. As I recall, normal takeoff with many Bonanza models is no boost pump. If the emergency pump (boost pump) is used, it would cause the engine to run rich and therefore low power. I can’t remember if there was a “boost”/“emergency” (2) position switch on these or if this was a Baron thing.
Anyway, I’ve seen a run-off-the-end-of-the-runway takeoff because of this type of thing, typically caused by flying too many Pipers and Cessnas.
Checking guys out in a Bonanza was making sure they knew about the gear/flap arrangement (older models) and how the fuel pumps worked. A towel was required equipment so they could wipe the grin off their faces.
Somebody that knows these systems better needs to fill in the spaces here. As I stated before, it has been a while since I’ve flown one.
James is right.
The switch in the newer Bonanzas (this one included) is either labeled either on or off. It isn’t labeled emergency anymore. Some of the reasons why someone would turn it on is to load fuel into the cylinders prior to start (assuming mixture set to rich), cooling the cylinders in a hot start (assuming mixture lean/cutoff), and in the event of an engine failure (part of the EP’s called for by the checklist). Short of that, there aren’t too many reasons why one would want to turn it on. Turning it on outside one of those three situations could cause the engine to flood and die (forget about running rich!)
Chris