# Magneto/distributor

- Type: NTSB finding subsection
- Path: [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01) › [Aircraft power plant](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/0105) › [Ignition system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/010574) › Magneto/distributor
- NTSB code: 01057414
- Cases: 101
- In the probable cause: 87
- Fatal cases: 18
- All cases: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057414/cases.md
- Cases with it in the probable cause: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057414/cases.md?cause=1
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057414

## Cases per year (in the probable cause / all)

- 2008: 3 / 3
- 2009: 10 / 10
- 2010: 5 / 6
- 2011: 3 / 3
- 2012: 5 / 5
- 2013: 2 / 2
- 2014: 7 / 8
- 2015: 7 / 10
- 2016: 5 / 6
- 2017: 3 / 4
- 2018: 7 / 8
- 2019: 5 / 5
- 2020: 4 / 4
- 2021: 5 / 7
- 2022: 2 / 4
- 2023: 11 / 11
- 2024: 2 / 4
- 2025: 1 / 1

## Defining events in these cases

- [Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342): 41 cases
- [Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341): 31 cases
- [Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340): 15 cases
- [Electrical system malf/failure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332): 3 cases
- [Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240): 3 cases
- [Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900): 1 cases
- [Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330): 1 cases
- [Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241): 1 cases
- [Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230): 1 cases
- [Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092): 1 cases

## Aircraft models (registry)

- [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152): 4 cases
- [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n): 3 cases
- [Robinson Helicopter R44 II](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44-ii): 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 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
- [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250): 2 cases

## Other findings in the same cases

- [Decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520) (Personnel issues): 14 cases
- [Aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040) (Personnel issues): 13 cases
- [Installation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035) (Personnel issues): 11 cases
- [Scheduled/routine maintenance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062010) (Personnel issues): 11 cases
- [Not determined, general](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000) (Not determined): 8 cases
- [Scheduled/routine inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061520) (Personnel issues): 7 cases
- [Tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020) (Environmental issues): 6 cases
- [Engine (reciprocating), general](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500) (Aircraft): 6 cases
- [Incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015) (Personnel issues): 5 cases
- [Angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042) (Aircraft): 5 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 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 ERA24LA151](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA151), Mar 4, 2024: Palmetto Electronics X-AIR H (N3505W), Ellenboro, NC, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power due to an inoperative ignition system.
- [NTSB WPR24LA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA064), Dec 21, 2023: Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 (N453DS), Spanish Fork, UT, substantial damage. Probable cause: 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 CEN24LA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA063), Dec 13, 2023: Cessna T210 (N6789R), Sapulpa, OK, substantial damage. Probable cause: 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), Nov 30, 2023: Cessna 182 (N8880T), Manitowoc, WI, substantial damage. Probable cause: 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), Nov 27, 2023: Piper PA32R (N4187Q), Attalla, AL, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: 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…
- [NTSB CEN23FA410](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA410), Sep 10, 2023: Sonex Sonex (N569SX), Dowagiac, MI, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The total loss of engine power due to the failure of the ignition distributor rotor.

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.