# Ignition system - Type: NTSB finding section - Path: [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01) › [Aircraft power plant](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/0105) › Ignition system - NTSB code: 010574 - Cases: 189 - In the probable cause: 167 - Fatal cases: 30 - All cases: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/010574/cases.md - Cases with it in the probable cause: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/010574/cases.md?cause=1 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/010574 ## Cases per year (in the probable cause / all) - 2008: 7 / 8 - 2009: 14 / 14 - 2010: 17 / 18 - 2011: 7 / 8 - 2012: 8 / 8 - 2013: 6 / 6 - 2014: 12 / 13 - 2015: 10 / 13 - 2016: 11 / 12 - 2017: 7 / 9 - 2018: 9 / 10 - 2019: 7 / 7 - 2020: 10 / 10 - 2021: 7 / 11 - 2022: 7 / 10 - 2023: 20 / 20 - 2024: 7 / 11 - 2025: 1 / 1 ## Findings - [Magneto/distributor](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057414): 101 cases, 87 in the probable cause - [Spark plugs/igniters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057421): 38 cases, 37 in the probable cause - [Ignition system, general](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057400): 18 cases, 14 in the probable cause - [Ignition system wiring](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057497): 16 cases, 15 in the probable cause - [Ignition power supply](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057410): 13 cases, 12 in the probable cause - [Switching](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057430): 9 cases, 6 in the probable cause - [Dist (ignition harness)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057420): 5 cases, 5 in the probable cause - [Low tension coil](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057411): 1 cases, 1 in the probable cause ## Defining events in these cases - [Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342): 71 cases - [Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341): 65 cases - [Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340): 28 cases - [Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240): 4 cases - [AC/prop/rotor contact w person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/081): 4 cases - [Electrical system malf/failure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332): 3 cases - [Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330): 2 cases - [Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000): 2 cases - [Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900): 1 cases - [Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338): 1 cases ## Aircraft models (registry) - [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152): 7 cases - [Mooney M20C](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20c): 3 cases - [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n): 3 cases - [Stinson 108-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108-3): 2 cases - [Schweizer 269C-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-269c-1): 2 cases - [Robinson Helicopter R44 II](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44-ii): 2 cases - [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta): 2 cases - [Piper PA-32RT-300T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300t): 2 cases - [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300): 2 cases - [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140): 2 cases ## Other findings in the same cases - [Aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040) (Personnel issues): 23 cases - [Installation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035) (Personnel issues): 23 cases - [Decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520) (Personnel issues): 19 cases - [Tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020) (Environmental issues): 16 cases - [Scheduled/routine maintenance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062010) (Personnel issues): 14 cases - [Angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042) (Aircraft): 11 cases - [Engine (reciprocating), general](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500) (Aircraft): 10 cases - [Not determined, general](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000) (Not determined): 9 cases - [Scheduled/routine inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061520) (Personnel issues): 9 cases - [Recip eng cyl section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530) (Aircraft): 9 cases ## Newest cases - [NTSB CEN25LA243](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA243), Jul 8, 2025: Stinson 108 (N97577), Seguin, TX, no damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to turn off the magneto switch before repositioning the propeller by hand which resulted in an inadvertent engine start. - [NTSB ERA25LA052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA052), Nov 19, 2024: Cessna 172S (N951JA), Chattanooga, TN, substantial damage. Probable cause: A partial loss of engine power due to a fouled spark plug in engine’s the No. 4 cylinder. Contributing was the flight instructor’s failure to maintain aircraft control during an attempted go-around… - [NTSB ERA25LA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA056), Nov 9, 2024: Finn Lassen RV-4 (N214FL), O'Brien, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power and navigational equipment as a result of a faulty battery. - [NTSB CEN24LA341](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA341), Sep 7, 2024: Taylorcraft BC12-D (N95078), Trojan, SD, substantial damage. Probable cause: The partial loss of engine power due to a loose magneto and subsequent impact with terrain. - [NTSB CEN24LA313](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA313), Aug 9, 2024: Grumman G164 (N6569), Dyess, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The improper overhaul of the carburetor and the malfunction of left magneto which resulted in a partial loss of engine power. - [NTSB CEN24LA269](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA269), Jul 16, 2024: Piper PA-36-375 (N2386X), Avoca, NE, substantial damage. Probable cause: A partial loss of engine power due to the loose left magneto which resulted in erratic engine timing. - [NTSB WPR24LA205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA205), Jun 22, 2024: Replica PA-12 Replica (N406Z), Douglas, WY, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot’s failure to calibrate the fuel flow indicator. - [NTSB ERA24LA230](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA230), May 26, 2024: Piper PA-28-151 (N33563), Hope Mills, NC, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine performance due to carbon fouling of three spark plugs that, when combined with the airplane’s high gross weight condition, resulted in a collision with trees and terrain. - [NTSB CEN24LA185](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA185), May 12, 2024: Titan T51 (N260Y), Novi, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: A failure of the electrical system, resulting in a loss of fuel injection and subsequent loss of engine power. - [NTSB ANC24LA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA025), Apr 21, 2024: Cessna 120 (N77032), Talkeetna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: A degraded ignition system, which resulted in a total loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was maintenance personnel’s inadequate inspection of the ignition system. NTSB has coded findings and defining events since 2008; earlier cases used its older occurrence and cause codes and aren't counted. Findings: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings.md. Defining events: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events.md. Phases of flight: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases.md. Every investigation, filtered by finding, event, phase, state, year or model: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md (for example ?state=MI&fatal=1). NTSB's definitions: Accident and incident, 49 CFR 830.2 (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-VIII/part-830/subpart-A/section-830.2), CICTT occurrence categories (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/data/Documents/datafiles/OccurrenceCategoryDefinitions.pdf), CICTT phases of flight (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/data/Documents/datafiles/PhaseofFlightDefinitions.pdf), and NTSB coding manual, before 2008 (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). NTSB publishes no definitions for its findings, only their names. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.