# NTSB investigations: Ignition system

NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports.

Page 1 of 4 · 189 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB CEN25LA243](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA243.md): Stinson 108 · Seguin, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 8, 2025 · N97577 · No damage
  > 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.md): Cessna 172S · Chattanooga, TN · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 19, 2024 · N951JA · Substantial damage
  > 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 following an unsuccessful landing approach in IMC, which…
- [NTSB ERA25LA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA056.md): Finn Lassen RV-4 · O'Brien, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 9, 2024 · N214FL · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power and navigational equipment as a result of a faulty battery.
- [NTSB CEN24LA341](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA341.md): Taylorcraft BC12-D · Trojan, SD · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 7, 2024 · N95078 · Substantial damage
  > The partial loss of engine power due to a loose magneto and subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN24LA313](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA313.md): Grumman G164 · Dyess, AR · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 9, 2024 · N6569 · Substantial damage
  > 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.md): Piper PA-36-375 · Avoca, NE · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 16, 2024 · N2386X · Substantial damage
  > 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.md): Replica PA-12 Replica · Douglas, WY · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 22, 2024 · N406Z · Substantial damage
  > 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.md): Piper PA-28-151 · Hope Mills, NC · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 26, 2024 · N33563 · Substantial damage
  > 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.md): Titan T51 · Novi, MI · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 12, 2024 · N260Y · Substantial damage
  > 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.md): Cessna 120 · Talkeetna, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 21, 2024 · N77032 · Substantial damage
  > 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 ERA24LA151](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA151.md): Palmetto Electronics X-AIR H · Ellenboro, NC · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 4, 2024 · N3505W · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to an inoperative ignition system.
- [NTSB WPR24LA099](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA099.md): Piper PA-18A 150 · Dallesport, WA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 27, 2024 · N518SW · Minor damage
  > The pilot’s failure to disengage the ignition prior to moving the propeller by hand resulting in the inadvertent starting of the engine.
- [NTSB WPR24LA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA064.md): Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 · Spanish Fork, UT · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 21, 2023 · N453DS · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance 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 WPR24LA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA060.md): Mooney M20J · Carlin, NV · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 21, 2023 · N2073K · Substantial damage
  > Improper 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 CEN24LA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA063.md): Cessna T210 · Sapulpa, OK · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 13, 2023 · N6789R · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power due to the failure of the left magneto and subsequent damage to a lead for the right magneto.
- [NTSB CEN24LA052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA052.md): Cessna 182 · Manitowoc, WI · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 30, 2023 · N8880T · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel’s improper servicing of the magnetos, which resulted in their accelerated wear, failure, and the total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB ERA24FA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA050.md): Piper PA32R · Attalla, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 27, 2023 · N4187Q · Destroyed
  > The 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 CEN24LA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA012.md): Tvap 4 · Franksville, WI · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 15, 2023 · N42VZ · Substantial damage
  > The improper installation of the supplemental ignition system, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB CEN23FA410](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA410.md): Sonex Sonex · Dowagiac, MI · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 10, 2023 · N569SX · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power due to the failure of the ignition distributor rotor.
- [NTSB WPR23LA307](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA307.md): Boeing A75N1(PT17) · Red Lodge, MT · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 8, 2023 · N56907 · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power during the initial climb out due to improper maintenance of the magneto.
- [NTSB WPR23LA295](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA295.md): Fish Larry W Lancair 360 · Renton, WA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 31, 2023 · N68XA · Substantial damage
  > A 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 CEN23LA313](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA313.md): Pietenpol Aircamper · Gardner, KS · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 19, 2023 · N34KP · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power due to lead fouling of a spark plug.
- [NTSB CEN23LA273](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA273.md): Berkut 540 · Cedar Rapids, IA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 1, 2023 · N567JS · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power during the test flight due to multiple ignition system anomalies.
- [NTSB WPR23LA239](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA239.md): Piper PA-24-250 · Alturas, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 25, 2023 · N6430P · Substantial damage
  > A 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 WPR23FA225](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23FA225.md): Cessna R182 · McCall, ID · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 12, 2023 · N3138C · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel's failure to properly torque and inspect the magneto hardware, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power.
- [NTSB ERA23LA231](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA231.md): Charles D Walker Walker Curtiss JN4D · Greenville, KY · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 15, 2023 · N8262 · Substantial damage
  > The 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 ERA23LA225](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA225.md): Mooney M20K · Hillsborough Township, NJ · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 6, 2023 · N262MK · Substantial damage
  > The 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 ERA23FA188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA188.md): Miller Glenn F RV-12 · Climax, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 11, 2023 · N543GM · Destroyed
  > The 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 CEN23LA152](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA152.md): Vans RV6 · Goldsby, OK · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 8, 2023 · N48PS · Substantial damage
  > The engine electronic ignition system became disconnected, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power.
- [NTSB ERA23LA162](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA162.md): Cessna 177 · Travelers Rest, SC · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 23, 2023 · N13612 · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel’s improper servicing of the magneto, which resulted in its accelerated wear, failure, and the total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB ERA23LA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA120.md): Mooney M20C · Calhoun, GA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 28, 2023 · N5587Q · Destroyed
  > A partial loss of engine power during the initial climb due to an improperly installed spark plug.
- [NTSB ERA23FA103](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA103.md): Piper PA28 · Suffolk, VA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 7, 2023 · N592FL · Destroyed
  > The 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 CEN22LA423](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA423.md): Luscombe 8 · Kingsbury, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 10, 2022 · N25144 · Substantial damage
  > A 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 WPR22FA335](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA335.md): Rutan Varieze · Columbia, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 5, 2022 · N10EZ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper maintenance of the ignition system, which led to an ignition system failure and a loss of engine power.
- [NTSB ERA22LA369](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA369.md): Cessna 172 · Jamestown, NY · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 12, 2022 · N4751F · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be definitively determined.
- [NTSB CEN22LA344](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA344.md): Piper PA-32RT-300T · Dallas, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 28, 2022 · N3027J · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance 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 CEN22LA334](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA334.md): Van's RV-10 · Beaver Dam, WI · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 22, 2022 · N4400K · Substantial damage
  > The improperly secured spark plug boot that resulted in smoke in the cockpit and a subsequent off-airport landing.
- [NTSB WPR22LA262](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA262.md): Maule M-5-235C · Three Forks, MT · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 20, 2022 · N6224M · Substantial damage
  > A 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 ERA22LA322](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA322.md): Vans RV10 · Palatka, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 18, 2022 · N910BW · Substantial damage
  > Total loss of engine power due to the improper installation of an electronic ignition system connector plug.
- [NTSB CEN22LA322](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA322.md): Aero Commander 112 · Granbury, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 18, 2022 · N1181J · Substantial damage
  > The loss of engine power due to metal contamination within the cylinder following poor maintenance.
- [NTSB WPR22LA158](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA158.md): Europa XS Mono · Eastsound, WA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 13, 2022 · N194XS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot inadvertently shut off the engine control unit, which resulted in the engine turning off before the runway landing was attained.
- [NTSB WPR22LA099](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA099.md): Aeronca 11AC · Napa, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Feb 8, 2022 · N9500E · Substantial damage
  > The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, which resulted in an off-airport landing on unimproved terrain.
- [NTSB WPR22LA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA060.md): Cessna P210N · Hillsboro, OR · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 9, 2021 · N152BT · Substantial damage
  > The on-ground collision with a tree during an off airport precautionary landing. Contributing was the partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB WPR21LA357](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA357.md): Fonville Swearingen SX300 · Buckeye, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 18, 2021 · N5SX · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power due to the failure of the left magneto.
- [NTSB ERA21LA356](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA356.md): Waco GXE · Burt, NY · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 13, 2021 · N8564 · Substantial damage
  > The improper magneto timing, which resulted in the engine’s inability to produce full power during the takeoff.
- [NTSB ERA21FA334](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21FA334.md): North American SNJ-2 · Wilkes-Barre, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 20, 2021 · N52900 · Destroyed
  > A 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 WPR21LA316](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA316.md): Beech 77 · Stanley, NM · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 12, 2021 · N3873Y · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine performance due to lead fouling of the lower spark plugs, which resulted in an off airport forced landing.
- [NTSB ANC21LA068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21LA068.md): Stinson 108-1 · Sterling, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 2, 2021 · N8656K · Substantial damage
  > Insufficient 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 ERA21LA261](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA261.md): Cessna 172 · Jupiter, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 18, 2021 · N2797E · Substantial damage
  > The 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 CEN21LA273](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA273.md): Tony Dubeansky RV10 · Fort Worth, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 16, 2021 · N878TD · Substantial damage
  > A 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.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/010574/cases.md?page=2

## The whole list in SQL

Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS:

```sql
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
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/010574/cases

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