Service difficulty report · None · Cessna 421B

Difficulty date
June 24, 2022
Submitted
June 30, 2022
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N678D
Make and model
Cessna 421B
Aircraft serial
421B0876
Aircraft time
5,478 hours
Engine
Cont GTSIO520H
Engine time
25 hours
Part
None
Part number
M1945
Condition
Failed
Location
Rh Mag, Bottom #
Part time
25 hours, 20 cycles
Component
Ignition Lead · Champion
Component part number
M1945
Stage of operation
CR
How discovered
V
Nature of condition
R, O
Precautionary procedure
K

As reported to the FAA. Reports are unverified, and codes are left as the FAA publishes them.

What was found

CRUISE FLIGHT FL 240, 25 HRS SINCE NEW CHAMPION IGNITION HARNESS, BLUE LABEL TCM/CAT BENDIX S6LN-1205 MAGNETO, AND CHAMPION RHB32E SPARK PLUGS AT ENGINE OVERHAUL (25 HRS TTSMOH OF ENGINE). IN CRUISE FLIGHT LOST 5 INCHES OF MP PRESSURE ON NEWLY OVERHAULED RH ENGINE. IN FLIGHT TROUBLE SHOOTING REVEALED MARKED ENGINE ROUGHNESS WHEN OPERATING ONLY ON RH MAG. POST FLIGHT INSPECTION REVEALED EVIDENCE OF ARCHING ON BOTTOM CYLINDER #2 IGNITION LEAD AT THE SPARK PLUG. 10X PHOTOS REVEALED CRATERING IN THE SPARK PLUG LEAD INSULATION. PHOTOS AVAILABLE. TEARDOWN OF MAG SHOWED NO ANOMALIES, VISUAL/RESISTANCE CHECK/BOMB TESTING OF ALL SPARK PLUGS WAS NOMINAL. ONLY FAULT FOUND WAS WITH THE IGNITION LEAD. OTHER THAN THE OVERHAULER I WAS THE ONLY MECHANIC WHO HAD MANIPULATED THESE SPARK PLUG LEADS. THEY WERE HANDLED WITH KIT GLOVES. I BELIEVE THIS WAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE CHAMPION IGNITION HARNESS.

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