Service difficulty report · Ignition Unit · Pilats PC1245

Difficulty date
August 27, 2004
Submitted
December 3, 2004
Operation
General aviation
Make and model
Pilats PC1245
Aircraft time
1,885 hours
Engine
Pwa PT6A67B
Propeller
Hartzl HCE4A3D
Part
Ignition Unit
Condition
Malfunctioned
Location
Engine
Stage of operation
IN
How discovered
9
Nature of condition
O
Precautionary procedure
K

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

What was found

UNCOMMANDED DISCHARGE OF ENG IGNITERS DURING ROUTINE 100 HR MX WHILE PERFORMING FUNCTION CHECK OF PROBES ELEMENTS, AN UNCOMMANDED DISCHARGE OF THE IGNITERS OCCURRED. GROUND POWER WAS APPLIED AND ON, PROBES SWITCH TURNED ON AT PANEL FOR APPX 30 SECS. BY PILOT IN COCKPIT WHILE MX CONDUCTED A WALK AROUND TO VERIFY PROBES ELEMENT HEAT.ONFINAL STAGE OF CHECK AT OR BEYOND TIME PROBES SWITCH SET TO OFF A D DISSIPATING DISCHARGE SOUND WAS HEARD FROM/AROUND THE ENG (APPX 5-6 FLASHES)THEN STOPPED. THE ENG WAS COMPLETELY DE-COWLED. ENGINE MX PERFORMED EARLIER IN THE DAY, COMPLETE WITH A FUNCTION CHECK OF THE IGNITERS. THEY WERE SECURELY INSTALLED AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THIS ANOMALY HAS OCCURRED 3 TIMES PREVIOUSLY.