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Bad mag wire contributes to crash

By NTSB · December 15, 2011 ·

This December 2009 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.

Aircraft: LongEZ. Injuries: 1 Fatal. Location: Dexter, Ky. Aircraft damage: Destroyed.

What reportedly happened: A witness on the ground saw the experimental, amateur-built airplane in a steep bank. After about 30 seconds, he saw the airplane crash into trees and explode in flames.

The post-accident examination revealed that the engine’s single magneto P-lead terminal end had made contact with an adjacent fabric-covered steel braid oil cooler hose line. Closer examination of the ignition lead disclosed that chaffing had exposed the metal strand layer of the hose. The grounding of the magneto would have rendered the engine unable to produce power due to the lack of an ignition source. The condition of the propeller blades at the wreckage was consistent with the engine not operating at the time of ground impact.

Probable cause: The loss of engine power due to the chaffing and grounding of the single magneto’s ignition lead.

For more information: NTSB.gov; NTSB Identification: ERA10LA102

About NTSB

The National Transportation Safety Board is an independent federal agency charged by Congress with investigating every civil aviation accident in the United States and significant events in the other modes of transportation, including railroad, transit, highway, marine, pipeline, and commercial space. It determines the probable causes of accidents and issues safety recommendations aimed at preventing future occurrences.

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Comments

  1. Gbisogno says

    December 15, 2011 at 8:02 am

    Grounding 1 mag doesn’t stop the engine.  Poor conclusion or poor reporting!

    • Dennis Reiley says

      December 16, 2011 at 5:45 am

      Nor does it cause the aircraft to be in a bank for 30 seconds prior to the crash. 

    • Rogmull says

      December 16, 2011 at 6:32 am

      I think if you read the story carefully, it says that the engine had a single (one) mag. 

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