# NTSB CEN17LA015: Milholland Kelly D, N522LM, Livingston, TX, October 7, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 7, 2016, 13:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Livingston, TX - Coordinates: 30.679445, -95.013336 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6794&lon=-95.0133&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 6, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 94191 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN17LA015 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94191/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94191 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA015 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Milholland Leonard E KELLY-D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=05620SV), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Ignition system: magneto/distributor](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057414): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure; cases with it: [Milholland Leonard E KELLY-D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057414/cases.md?model=05620SV), [All aircraft, 101 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057414/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) (defining event); cases with it: [Milholland Leonard E KELLY-D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=05620SV), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md) - [Approach: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342); cases with it: [Milholland Leonard E KELLY-D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=05620SV), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Milholland Leonard E KELLY-D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=05620SV), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot reported that, while on approach for landing in the experimental amateur-built airplane, the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot performed a forced landing to a field, during which the airplane sustained substantial damage. An examination of the engine revealed that the left magneto was not producing spark. Further examination of the left magneto revealed signatures consistent with failure of the magneto capacitor. Although the failure of a single magneto would likely result in a partial loss of engine power, the reason for the total loss of engine power experienced on the accident flight could not be determined based on the available information. ## Factual narrative On October 7, 2016, about 1315 central daylight time, a Milholland Kelly D airplane, N522LM, was substantially damaged during a forced landing 1/2 mile north of Livingston Municipal Airport (OOR), Livingston, Texas. The pilot was not injured. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The cross-country flight departed Sport Flyers Airport (27XS), Brookshire, Texas, about 1200, and was en route to OOR.According to the pilot, while approaching OOR for landing, the engine rpms decreased and the engine stopped producing power. He added that there were no indications from the engine or the engine gauges prior to the sudden power loss. During the forced landing to the field, the landing gear collapsed and partially separated from the fuselage. The lower wings, fuselage, and firewall were substantially damaged. An examination of the engine revealed that the left magneto was not producing spark. Further examination of the engine and related systems revealed no additional mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operations. The left magneto was placed on a test machine and brought to operating speed. Each of the four ignition leads produced spark; however, at times the spark was intermittent. Further examination of the magneto revealed a greyish color on the points, consistent with failure of the capacitor. The technician remarked that a magneto could test within expected parameters but when it got hot during normal engine operations, it could fail. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N522LM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N522LM-2021-10-30), registration cancelled 2021-10-30, S/N 76, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Milholland Kelly D - Registry model: [Milholland Leonard E KELLY-D](https://openairdocs.org/model/milholland-leonard-e-kelly-d) (registry code 05620SV) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 76 - Year built: 1992 - Airframe hours: 685.9 - Engines: Lycoming 0-290 D2 135 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, September 21, 2016 - Departed: 27XS, Brookshire, TX - Destination: OOR, Livingston, TX - Airport: OOR, Livingston Municipal Airport - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 14, 2016; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 549.5 total, 411 in this make and model, 549.5 as pilot in command, 11.3 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: 6R3, 20 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20161007010819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161007010819A), Oct 7, 2016: Milholland Leonard E KELLY-D, Livingston, TX, Substantial damage. During a return flight from 27XS, where the aircraft had been for an annual inspection, the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of engine power with no prior… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 17, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94191. 2.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 597 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454276&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Magneto Examination (item 2, .PDF, 4 photos, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454270&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Magneto%20Examination-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- 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.