# NTSB WPR21LA098: Cessna T182T, N291FR, Crescent City, CA, January 31, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: January 31, 2021, 11:44 local (19:44 UTC) - Place: Crescent City, CA - Coordinates: 41.84029, -124.172 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8403&lon=-124.1720&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-descent: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 102581 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA098 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102581/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102581 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA098 ## Probable cause The partial loss of engine power due to the failure of both magneto capacitors. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Ignition system: magneto/distributor](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057414): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T182T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057414/cases.md?model=2072738), [All aircraft, 101 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057414/cases.md) - [Ignition system: magneto/distributor](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057414): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Fatigue/wear/corrosion (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T182T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057414/cases.md?model=2072738), [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. - [Enroute-descent: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna T182T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=2072738), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor noticed a flashing red turbine inlet temperature (TIT) warning light during the flight. He enrichened the fuel mixture, which returned the TIT to normal. Shortly after, the engine began to run rough. The flight instructor switched to the left magneto and the engine lost power. He then switched to the right magneto and the engine continued to run rough. He switched back to both magnetos and the engine continued to run rough. The flight instructor then adjusted the mixture and turned on the auxiliary fuel pump. Despite his actions, he was unable to get the engine to operate at a power setting sufficient to maintain altitude. The flight instructor located an open field and initiated a forced landing. The airplane landed in marshland and nosed over during the landing. The postaccident examination of the engine revealed excessive gap on all sparkplugs and two of the sparkplug electrodes were fouled. The magnetos would not produce spark and had corrosion on their internal components. It was also noted that the pressurized magnetos did not have a moisture trap or filter installed. The magnetos were sent to a facility for further examination, which revealed deformities on both magneto point assembly contact areas and the failure of both magneto capacitors during testing. The failure of the capacitors likely resulted in the deformities on the points surface contact areas resulting in the magnetos not producing sufficient spark for normal operation. ## Factual narrative On January 31, 2021, about 1144 Pacific standard time, a Cessna T182T airplane, N291FR, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Crescent City, California. The flight instructor and pilot rated student received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. During the flight, the flight instructor noticed a flashing red turbine inlet temperature (TIT) warning light. He enrichened the fuel mixture resulting in the TIT indication returning to normal. Shortly after, the engine began to run rough. The flight instructor switched to the left magneto and the engine lost power. He then switched to the right magneto and the engine continued to run rough. He switched back to both magnetos and the engine continued to run rough. The flight instructor then adjusted the mixture and turned on the auxiliary fuel pump. Despite his actions he was unable to get the engine to operate sufficiently to maintain altitude. The flight instructor located an open field and initiated a forced landing. The airplane landed in marshland and during the landing roll the airplane nosed over. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the magnetos would not produce a spark and had corrosion on their internal components. It was also noted that the pressurized magnetos did not have a moisture trap or filter installed. The magnetos were disassembled, and corrosion and rust were noted on the interior surfaces and interior components. The points were removed from the magnetos, and corrosion was noted on the contact surfaces. Sandpaper was used to remove the corrosion from both sets of points. Deformities such as deterioration and buildup of the contact surfaces were visible. The points were reinstalled on the magnetos and the magnetos were installed on the test bench. No spark was produced from either magneto. The magneto’s capacitors were bench tested and both failed under normal testing. An ohmmeter was used on the each of the (4) point assemblies and revealed inconsistent resistance on the surface areas (high points) of each point. A used set of points and capacitors were installed on the magnetos. The magnetos were installed on a bench and a normal amount of spark was observed. The used set of points had about 500 hours of operation during the test. The maintenance records revealed that, on February 1, 2019, at an airplane total time of 1,248.8 hours of operation, both magnetos were replaced with newly overhauled units. On November 10, 2020, the last annual was performed with an aircraft total time of 1,704.5 hours of operation. The accident occurred 82 hours of operation after the last annual inspection. At the time of the accident, the magnetos had 537 hours of operation since they were installed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N291FR](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N291FR), registered now, S/N T18209082 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA T182T - Registry model: [Cessna T182T](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t182t) (registry code 2072738) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TIO-540-AK1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tio-540-ak1a) (registry code 42005, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: T18209082 - Year built: 2012 - Airframe hours: 1787 - Engines: Lycoming TIO-540-AK1A 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Morey's West Coast Adventures, Inc, doing business as Morey's West Coast Adventures, Inc - Registered owner: Morey's West Coast Adventures, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 10, 2020, 82 hours before - Departed: KMFR, Medford, OR - Destination: KCEC, Crescent City, CA - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: CEC - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Onboard weather, Stall warning system, Electronic primary flight display, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 82; injuries: minor; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 25, 2019; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 37,517 total, 20,000 in this make and model, 35,419 as pilot in command, 109 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Pilot; age 63; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown; last flight review November 30, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 389 total, 202 in this make and model, 11 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 175° at 19 knots, gusting 32 - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: KCEC, 5 nm away - METAR: KCEC 311956Z AUTO 16019G32KT 8SM -RA BKN032 OVC100 11/09 A2996 RMK AO2 PK WND 15035/1901 SLP145 P0002 T01110089 ## 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 20210131012819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210131012819A), Jan 31, 2021: Cessna T182T, Crescent City, CA, Substantial damage. A Cessna T182T, N291FR took off from medford or. Airport for an cross country instruction flight to Crescent City CA. Airport (cec). 14 Miles before cec at… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 5, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102581. 4.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15191572&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Maintenance records-excerpts (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15191327&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pages%20from%20Engine%20Logs-N291FR_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Followup engine examination-notes (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 123 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15191528&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Followup%20Engine%20Examination-Mechanic%27s%20Notes_Redacted-Rel.pdf - NTSB component examination report (item 4, PDF, 5 pages, 7 photos, 592 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15192060&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR21LA098%20Component%20Examination%20Summary-Rel.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.