NTSB investigations
189 cases where NTSB found Ignition system.
Cases per year
| 2008 | 8 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 14 |
| 2010 | 18 |
| 2011 | 8 |
| 2012 | 8 |
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2014 | 13 |
| 2015 | 13 |
| 2016 | 12 |
| 2017 | 9 |
| 2018 | 10 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2020 | 10 |
| 2021 | 11 |
| 2022 | 10 |
| 2023 | 20 |
| 2024 | 11 |
| 2025 | 1 |
Where
Open the mapLatest cases
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT c.\"ntsbNumber\", c.\"eventDate\", c.\"eventType\", c.\"eventCity\", c.\"eventStateOrRegion\", a.n_number, a.\"aircraftMake\", a.\"aircraftModel\", c.\"highestInjuryLevel\", c.\"totalFatal\", c.\"completionStatus\", c.report_url FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c.\"mKey\" AND a.position = 1 WHERE c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT f.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' f WHERE starts_with(f.\"findingCode\", '010574')) ORDER BY c.\"eventDate\" DESC, c.\"ntsbNumber\" DESC"
Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.
SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1 WHERE c."mKey" IN (SELECT f.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' f WHERE starts_with(f."findingCode", '010574')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
Run it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.
NTSB CEN25LA243Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportStinson 108 · Seguin, TXThe pilot’s failure to turn off the magneto switch before repositioning the propeller by hand which resulted in an inadvertent engine start.NTSB ERA25LA052Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172S · Chattanooga, TNA 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 following an unsuccessful landing approach in IMC, which…NTSB ERA25LA056Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportFinn Lassen RV-4 · O'Brien, FLA total loss of engine power and navigational equipment as a result of a faulty battery.NTSB CEN24LA341Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportTaylorcraft BC12-D · Trojan, SDThe partial loss of engine power due to a loose magneto and subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB CEN24LA313Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportGrumman G164 · Dyess, ARThe improper overhaul of the carburetor and the malfunction of left magneto which resulted in a partial loss of engine power.NTSB CEN24LA269Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-36-375 · Avoca, NEA partial loss of engine power due to the loose left magneto which resulted in erratic engine timing.NTSB WPR24LA205Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportReplica PA-12 Replica · Douglas, WYA loss of power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot’s failure to calibrate the fuel flow indicator.NTSB ERA24LA230Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-28-151 · Hope Mills, NCA 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 CEN24LA185Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportTitan T51 · Novi, MIA failure of the electrical system, resulting in a loss of fuel injection and subsequent loss of engine power.NTSB ANC24LA025Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 120 · Talkeetna, AKA 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 ERA24LA151Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPalmetto Electronics X-AIR H · Ellenboro, NCA total loss of engine power due to an inoperative ignition system.NTSB WPR24LA099Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-18A 150 · Dallesport, WAThe pilot’s failure to disengage the ignition prior to moving the propeller by hand resulting in the inadvertent starting of the engine.NTSB WPR24LA064Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportDiamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 · Spanish Fork, UTMaintenance personnel’s improper installation of the left magneto, which resulted in oil starvation to the engine and a subsequent total loss of engine power.NTSB WPR24LA060Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportMooney M20J · Carlin, NVImproper spacing of the magneto’s breaker point contact assemblies, which led to a loss of engine ignition during cruise flight and resulted in a total loss of engine power.NTSB CEN24LA063Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna T210 · Sapulpa, OKThe total loss of engine power due to the failure of the left magneto and subsequent damage to a lead for the right magneto.NTSB CEN24LA052Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 182 · Manitowoc, WIMaintenance personnel’s improper servicing of the magnetos, which resulted in their accelerated wear, failure, and the total loss of engine power.NTSB ERA24FA050Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA32R · Attalla, ALThe undetected wear of both pawl retaining rivets of the left magneto impulse coupling and fatigue failure of one pawl retaining rivet, which led to cascading fractures of the second pawl retaining rivet, left gear retainer assembly, and gear teeth of…NTSB CEN24LA012Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportTvap 4 · Franksville, WIThe improper installation of the supplemental ignition system, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.NTSB CEN23FA410Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportSonex Sonex · Dowagiac, MIThe total loss of engine power due to the failure of the ignition distributor rotor.NTSB WPR23LA307Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBoeing A75N1(PT17) · Red Lodge, MTA partial loss of engine power during the initial climb out due to improper maintenance of the magneto.NTSB WPR23LA295Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportFish Larry W Lancair 360 · Renton, WAA loss of electrical power due to low battery voltage, which resulted in an inflight shut down of the capacitor discharge ignition system and a loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to switch batteries after the electrical…NTSB CEN23LA313Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPietenpol Aircamper · Gardner, KSA loss of engine power due to lead fouling of a spark plug.NTSB CEN23LA273Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBerkut 540 · Cedar Rapids, IAA partial loss of engine power during the test flight due to multiple ignition system anomalies.NTSB WPR23LA239Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Alturas, CAA loss of engine power due to the failure of the right magneto distributor gear and the pilot’s decision to conduct a test flight with known mechanical issues.NTSB WPR23FA225Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna R182 · McCall, IDMaintenance personnel's failure to properly torque and inspect the magneto hardware, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power.NTSB ERA23LA231Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCharles D Walker Walker Curtiss JN4D · Greenville, KYThe separation of an electrical wire that powered the ignition module, rendering the ignition system inoperative, and resulting in the total loss of engine power.NTSB ERA23LA225Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportMooney M20K · Hillsborough Township, NJThe partial loss of engine power due to maintenance personnel’s failure to ensure that the ignition harnesses were properly secured and the pilot’s inappropriate pitch control inputs, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and…NTSB ERA23FA188Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMiller Glenn F RV-12 · Climax, NCThe airplane owner/builder’s inappropriate use of a lower grade fuel than that required by the airplane and engine operations manual, which resulted in engine detonation and the degradation and eventual obliteration of the Nos. 1 and 2 cylinder spark plug…NTSB CEN23LA152Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportVans RV6 · Goldsby, OKThe engine electronic ignition system became disconnected, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power.NTSB ERA23LA162Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 177 · Travelers Rest, SCMaintenance personnel’s improper servicing of the magneto, which resulted in its accelerated wear, failure, and the total loss of engine power.NTSB ERA23LA120Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportMooney M20C · Calhoun, GAA partial loss of engine power during the initial climb due to an improperly installed spark plug.NTSB ERA23FA103Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA28 · Suffolk, VAThe pilot’s decision to fly the airplane without confirming it had been released from maintenance, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power due to loose magnetos. Contributing to the outcome was the pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and…NTSB CEN22LA423Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportLuscombe 8 · Kingsbury, TXA total loss of engine power due to a failure of the ignition switch from carbon tracking, which resulted in a forced landing and a subsequent impact with trees.NTSB WPR22FA335Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRutan Varieze · Columbia, CAThe pilot’s improper maintenance of the ignition system, which led to an ignition system failure and a loss of engine power.NTSB ERA22LA369Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Jamestown, NYA partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be definitively determined.NTSB CEN22LA344Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-32RT-300T · Dallas, TXMaintenance personnel’s inadequate maintenance of the magneto, which resulted in a loss of engine ignition, a loss of engine power, and a subsequent forced landing.NTSB CEN22LA334Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportVan's RV-10 · Beaver Dam, WIThe improperly secured spark plug boot that resulted in smoke in the cockpit and a subsequent off-airport landing.NTSB WPR22LA262Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportMaule M-5-235C · Three Forks, MTA loss of engine power due to degraded and incorrectly maintained ignition system components. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s delay in turning the airplane towards the runway when the engine began to lose power.NTSB ERA22LA322Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportVans RV10 · Palatka, FLTotal loss of engine power due to the improper installation of an electronic ignition system connector plug.NTSB CEN22LA322Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAero Commander 112 · Granbury, TXThe loss of engine power due to metal contamination within the cylinder following poor maintenance.NTSB WPR22LA158Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportEuropa XS Mono · Eastsound, WAThe pilot inadvertently shut off the engine control unit, which resulted in the engine turning off before the runway landing was attained.NTSB WPR22LA099Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAeronca 11AC · Napa, CAThe loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, which resulted in an off-airport landing on unimproved terrain.NTSB WPR22LA060Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna P210N · Hillsboro, ORThe on-ground collision with a tree during an off airport precautionary landing. Contributing was the partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB WPR21LA357Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportFonville Swearingen SX300 · Buckeye, AZThe total loss of engine power due to the failure of the left magneto.NTSB ERA21LA356Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportWaco GXE · Burt, NYThe improper magneto timing, which resulted in the engine’s inability to produce full power during the takeoff.NTSB ERA21FA334Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportNorth American SNJ-2 · Wilkes-Barre, PAA partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Also causal was the pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering for a forced landing following the loss of engine power, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and…NTSB WPR21LA316Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech 77 · Stanley, NMA loss of engine performance due to lead fouling of the lower spark plugs, which resulted in an off airport forced landing.NTSB ANC21LA068Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportStinson 108-1 · Sterling, AKInsufficient available power as a result of low compression in three engine cylinders. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to takeoff with a slight quartering tailwind.NTSB ERA21LA261Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Jupiter, FLThe flight instructor’s failure to obtain the proper touchdown point during a forced landing. Contributing to the accident was the improper service and subsequent inadequate inspection of the single-drive, dual magneto, which resulted in a total loss of…NTSB CEN21LA273Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportTony Dubeansky RV10 · Fort Worth, TXA partial loss of engine power due to a separated electronic ignition system connector. Contributing to the accident was the location of the ignition boxes, which provided limited access to the connectors for visual inspection.