# NTSB LAX84LA265: Piper PA-24-260, N9218P, Quincy, CA, April 22, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 22, 1984, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Quincy, CA
- Coordinates: 39.959423, -120.999801 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9594&lon=-120.9998&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24239
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA265
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24239/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA265

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, climb - to cruise
  - ignition system - other
  - maintenance - not understood, other maintenance personnel
  - ignition system - disabled (cause)
  - maintenance - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - ignition system - inoperative
- Forced landing, landing
- Gear collapsed, landing
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - landing gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO START THE ENG & OBTAINED THE SERVICE OF A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DECIDED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH & DISCONNECTED THE P-LEADS WITH THE BELIEF THAT THIS WOULD MAKE THE MAGS CONTINUALLY 'HOT.' HOWEVER, WITH THE P-LEADS DISCONNECTED, THE MAGS SHOULD HAVE BEEN CONTINUALLY GROUNDED BY LEAF SPRING CONNECTORS. NEVER-THE-LESS, THE ENG STARTED WITH THE P-LEADS DISCONNECTED. AFTER TAKEOFF, WITH NO MAG CHECK, THE ENG BEGAN TO VIBRATE & MISFIRE & THE PLT TRIED TO RETURN TO THE ARPT. HOWEVER, THE ENG LOST ALL POWER & THE GEAR COLLAPSED DURING A FORCED LANDING, SHORT OF THE RWY. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT WITH THE P-LEADS DISCONNECTED, THE RGT LEAF SPRING CONNECTOR EFFECTIVELY GROUNDED THE RGT MAG, BUT THE LEFT MAG REMAIND UNGROUNDED FOR A TIME. THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF ARCING BETWEEN THE LEFT LEAF SPRING CONNECTOR & THE MAGNETO CASE. ALSO, THE SPARK VIBRATOR WAS FOUND TO BE WEAK. NO OTHER PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9218P (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-260
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-4714
- Airframe hours: 5583
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-D4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William & Virginia Higgins
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1983
- Departed: 201, QUINCY, CA
- Destination: RNO, RENO, NV
- Airport: 201, Gansner Field, runway 24, 4,100 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 853 total, 628 in this make and model, 853 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F

## 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 19840422039959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840422039959A), Apr 22, 1984: Piper PA24260, Quincy, CA, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing. Mechanic disconnected p leads to both magnetoes. Engine quit after takeoff

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.

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