Pilot Debrief

STINSON JR. S near Lake Stevens, WA — 2010-08-28

Final reportWPR10LA432
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Date
2010-08-28
Location
Lake Stevens, WA, USA
Aircraft
STINSON JR. S
Registration
N12164
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power during cruise flight, which resulted from a magneto switch failure.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, after cruising for about 30 minutes, the engine suddenly lost all power. During the forced landing in an open field, the airplane impacted a fence and then the ground. An examination of the airplane revealed that the engine’s magneto switch had failed. The switch was original equipment in the airplane, which was manufactured 79 years prior to the accident. The pilot reported no known maintenance history or malfunction of the magneto switch prior to the accident.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked engine components before flight to prevent power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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