NTSB investigations
101 cases where NTSB found Magneto/distributor.
Cases per year
| 2008 | 3 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 10 |
| 2010 | 6 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 8 |
| 2015 | 10 |
| 2016 | 6 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 8 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 7 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 11 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 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\", '01057414')) 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", '01057414')) 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 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 ERA24LA151Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPalmetto Electronics X-AIR H · Ellenboro, NCA total loss of engine power due to an inoperative ignition system.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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 WPR21LA171Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportConsolidated Aeronautics Lake LA-4-200 · Twentynine Palms, CAA partial loss of engine power due to inadequate ignition from cracked spark plugs and a failed magneto.NTSB WPR21LA098Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna T182T · Crescent City, CAThe partial loss of engine power due to the failure of both magneto capacitors.NTSB CEN21LA109Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Albany, TXThe pilot’s inadequate pretakeoff checks which resulted in the magneto switch (key) remaining in the OFF position during the takeoff sequence and initial climb and the right magneto grounding intermittently.NTSB ERA21LA091Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Pleasant Valley, NYA total loss of engine power due to failure of the magnetos, which were not overhauled in accordance with the manufacturer’s time specifications.NTSB ERA21LA019Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA32 · Atlanta, GAA partial loss of engine power during takeoff due to a right magneto anomaly, which resulted in the pilot’s decision to abort the takeoff and the subsequent runway excursion.NTSB CEN20LA377Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportStinson 108-3 · Coleman, MIThe pilot’s improper installation of the generator drive gear, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.NTSB CEN20LA256Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 320 · Round Rock, TXImproper maintenance that led to a loss of engine power due to a failed left engine magneto, the pilot’s improper application of single engine emergency procedures, and his failure to maintain control of the airplane which resulted in a collision with trees.NTSB CEN20LA020Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCirrus SR22 · Tyler, TXA total loss of engine power as a result of detonation due to a combination of improper magneto to engine timing and a rich fuel mixture.NTSB CEN19LA326Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportVans Vans RV-10 · Lancaster, TXA partial loss of engine power due to a faulty magneto/ignition system, which resulting in a forced landing.NTSB ERA19LA245Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportSchweizer 269C · Allentown, PAInadequate maintenance of the helicopter’s magnetos, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power during the initial climb due to a failure of the left magneto and malfunction of the right magneto.NTSB CEN19LA226Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCashen Super Acro Sport · Detroit Lakes, MNAn open circuit in the engine's electrical switch box, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing.NTSB ERA19LA109Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA28 · Louisville, KYThe failure of the magnetos due to a known deficiency, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was maintenance personnel’s failure to comply with the applicable service bulletin.NTSB WPR19FA042Accident · 1 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Aberdeen, IDThe pilot's diverted attention during the takeoff climb due to a loss of engine power, which resulted in the airplane’s exceedance of the critical angle of attack and subsequent stall/spin.NTSB ERA19LA029Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportDiamond DA20 · Mountain Rest, SCA partial loss of engine power due to multiple discrepancies of the engine's ignition system.NTSB WPR19LA011Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA32R · Indianapolis, INA total loss of engine power due to displacement of the dual magneto’s internal camshaft, which resulted in the magneto’s inability to produce spark.NTSB ERA19LA006Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 205 · Wagoner, OKMaintenance personnel’s improper maintenance of the magnetos, which resulted in a loss of engine power.NTSB ERA18LA269Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Westminster, MDThe pilot's attempt to move the helicopter from a sloped surface after an overspeed event, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control and impact with a car. The overspeed event resulted from misrouted and damaged wiring in the magneto, which subsequently…NTSB CEN18LA357Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman G164 · Opelousas, LAThe loss of two securing bolts that allowed the left magneto to move around, which disrupted the spark timing and resulted in the engine losing total power.NTSB WPR18FA150Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMorrison Marvin E JR RV 6A · Petaluma, CAA partial loss of engine power during initial climb after takeoff due to a loose left magneto, and the pilot's decision to turn back to the airport and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin and…NTSB WPR18LA148Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 152 · Hillsboro, ORThe partial loss of engine power during a go-around due to the loose copper electrode finger inside the left magneto.NTSB CEN18LA010Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBellanca 17-30A · Sweetwater, TXThe loss of engine power during a precautionary approach for landing for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.NTSB ERA17LA340Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportWaco UPF 7 · Ocklawaha, FLA failure of both magnetos due to multiple deficiencies, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.NTSB WPR17LA176Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172S · Seattle, WAThe total loss of engine power due to oil starvation as a result of the loose right magneto, which allowed oil to escape and the engine to seize. Contributing to the accident was inadequate maintenance, which failed to identify the loose magneto bolt.NTSB CEN17LA228Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportThompson Angel Hawk II · Homer, LAA total loss of engine power due to the engine’s unresolved high operating temperatures, which resulted in failure of the distributor rotor and drive shaft, and the pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed during the subsequent forced landing, which resulted in…NTSB ERA17LA077Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 76 · Dunnellon, FLAn inadequate 100-hour maintenance inspection that failed to detect and correct loose nuts on a single-drive dual magneto, which led to the subsequent separation of the magneto from the engine during initial climb and the total loss of engine power.NTSB CEN17LA099Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R22 Beta · Asherton, TXThe partial loss of engine power due to the failure of the magneto's internal timing during low-altitude maneuvering.