# Switching

- 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) › Switching
- NTSB code: 01057430
- Cases: 9
- In the probable cause: 6
- Fatal cases: 3
- All cases: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057430/cases.md
- Cases with it in the probable cause: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057430/cases.md?cause=1
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057430

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

- 2010: 1 / 1
- 2011: 1 / 2
- 2012: 1 / 1
- 2017: 0 / 1
- 2018: 1 / 1
- 2022: 1 / 2
- 2024: 1 / 1

## Defining events in these cases

- [Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341): 4 cases
- [AC/prop/rotor contact w person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/081): 3 cases
- [Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340): 1 cases
- [Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120): 1 cases

## Aircraft models (registry)

- [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150): 2 cases
- [Luscombe 8A](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8a): 1 cases
- [Piper PA-18A 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-150): 1 cases
- [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p): 1 cases
- [Bradshaw Timothy QUICKSILVER MX II](https://openairdocs.org/model/bradshaw-timothy-quicksilver-mx-ii): 1 cases
- [Still Michael J TITAN T-51](https://openairdocs.org/model/still-michael-j-titan-t-51): 1 cases
- [Barnow Barry VARI EZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/barnow-barry-vari-eze): 1 cases

## Other findings in the same cases

- [Use of equip/info, general](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000) (Personnel issues): 3 cases
- [Positioning/available space](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03041010) (Environmental issues): 2 cases
- [Tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020) (Environmental issues): 2 cases
- [Availability of policy/proc](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04021010) (Organizational issues): 1 cases
- [Rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015) (Environmental issues): 1 cases
- [Terrain, general](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000) (Environmental issues): 1 cases
- [Use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015) (Personnel issues): 1 cases
- [Incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010) (Personnel issues): 1 cases
- [Qualification/certification](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010) (Personnel issues): 1 cases
- [Engine (reciprocating), general](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500) (Aircraft): 1 cases

## Newest cases

- [NTSB WPR24LA099](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA099), Feb 27, 2024: Piper PA-18A 150 (N518SW), Dallesport, WA, minor damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to disengage the ignition prior to moving the propeller by hand resulting in the inadvertent starting of the engine.
- [NTSB CEN22LA423](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA423), Sep 10, 2022: Luscombe 8 (N25144), Kingsbury, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: 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), Sep 5, 2022: Rutan Varieze (N10EZ), Columbia, CA, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper maintenance of the ignition system, which led to an ignition system failure and a loss of engine power.
- [NTSB ERA18LA199](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA199), Jul 26, 2018: Cessna 182 (N1311S), Cleveland, TN, no damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The undetected wear of the ignition switch and key, which allowed removal of the key from an intermediate position and subsequently led to an unintended engine start-up. Contributing to the…
- [NTSB WPR18CA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18CA028), Oct 28, 2017: Still Michael J Titan T-51 (N651P), Chandler, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadvertent contact with the engine control unit toggle switch during flight, which resulted in the engine shutting down.
- [NTSB WPR12LA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA085), Jan 30, 2012: Piper PA-28R-200 (N746R), San Diego, CA, no damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to turn the magneto switch to the off position before moving the propeller to start the engine by hand.
- [NTSB ANC11FA093](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11FA093), Sep 4, 2011: Piper PA-18-150 (N13973), McGrath, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot inadvertently switched off the engine magnetos during short final approach, which resulted in a loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the manufacturer's placement of the…
- [NTSB ANC11CA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11CA089), Aug 30, 2011: Piper PA-18-150 (N82448), Cape Yakataga, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot inadvertently switching off the engine magnetos during the initial climb, resulting in a loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the manufacturer's placement of the magneto…
- [NTSB CEN10CA398](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA398), Jul 1, 2010: Bradshaw Quicksilver MX II (N4469N), Newark, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power during cruise when the ignition switch vibrated into the "off" position, leading to the airplane's impact with a ditch during the off-field landing.

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.

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