Service difficulty report · Impulse Coupling · Piper PA39

Difficulty date
June 25, 2025
Submitted
March 20, 2026
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N24TE
Make and model
Piper PA39
Aircraft serial
39
Aircraft time
3,962 hours
Part
Impulse Coupling
Part number
3529
Condition
Destroyed
Location
Magneto
Component
Magneto · Champion
Component part number
4330
Stage of operation
CL
How discovered
O
Nature of condition
R, J
Precautionary procedure
A

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

What was found

I HEARD THE ENGINE BACKFIRE A FEW TIMES DURING TAKEOFF/INITIAL CLIMB OUT AROUND 6/20/2025. PLANE WAS BROUGHT TO MAINTENANCE 6/25/2025 FOR REPORTS OF INABILITY TO START THE RH ENGINE. AFTER MULTIPLE STARTING ATTEMPTS, A VISUAL INSPECTION WAS CONDUCTED ON THE ENGINE AND IT WAS FOUND THAT THE RIVETS ON THE PAWLS FOR THE IMPULSE COUPLING HAD SHEARED OFF, TRAPPING THE PAWLS BETWEEN THE IMPULSE COUPLING AND THE MAGNETO CASE, CAUSING THE MAGNETO TO EXIT THE BACK OF THE ENGINE IN PIECES, TAKING PART OF THE SHOULDER ADAPTER WITH IT. PIECES OF THE MAGNETO SPRING, PAWLS, RIVETS, AND OTHER ASSOCIATED METAL DEBRIS WERE FOUND IN THE ACCESSORY CASE AND OIL SUMP.

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