Pilot Debrief

MAULE M-5-235C near Three Forks, MT — 2022-07-20

Final reportWPR22LA262
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Date
2022-07-20
Location
Three Forks, MT, USA
Airport
9S5
Aircraft
MAULE M-5-235C
Registration
N6224M
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

A loss of engine power due to degraded and incorrectly maintained ignition system components. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s delay in turning the airplane towards the runway when the engine began to lose power.

NTSB narrative

During the first flight after the installation of avionics, and an overhauled engine, the engine started to lose power in the traffic pattern. The pilot continued to fly straight in the downwind leg of the traffic pattern and attempted to troubleshoot the problem. Despite his actions, he was unable to regain engine power and subsequently pitched for best glide and made a 180° right turn to land on the runway. By this time, the airplane had traveled too far on the downwind leg, and the airplane landed short of the runway. Postaccident examination of the engine’s single-drive dual magneto revealed that the right magneto capacitor wire was attached utilizing an automotive terminal, however, the wire had separated from the crimped portion of the terminal. Additionally, the left magneto P-lead had areas of exposed wire, which grounded the left magneto and prevented its operation. The compounded anomalies, on both the left and right magnetos, would have resulted in a total loss of engine power.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot should have turned toward the runway immediately when engine lost power.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 6 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents6

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