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NTSB Report
April 22, 1984 · Piper PA-24-260 · N9218P
Quincy, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 22, 1984
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Quincy, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-24-260
Tail Number
N9218P
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX84LA265
THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO START THE ENG & OBTAINED THE SERVICE OF A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DECIDED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH & DISCONNECTED THE P-LEADS WITH THE BELIEF THAT THIS WOULD MAKE THE MAGS CONTINUALLY 'HOT.' HOWEVER, WITH THE P-LEADS DISCONNECTED, THE MAGS SHOULD HAVE BEEN CONTINUALLY GROUNDED BY LEAF SPRING CONNECTORS. NEVER-THE-LESS, THE ENG STARTED WITH THE P-LEADS DISCONNECTED. AFTER TAKEOFF, WITH NO MAG CHECK, THE ENG BEGAN TO VIBRATE & MISFIRE & THE PLT TRIED TO RETURN TO THE ARPT. HOWEVER, THE ENG LOST ALL POWER & THE GEAR COLLAPSED DURING A FORCED LANDING, SHORT OF THE RWY. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT WITH THE P-LEADS DISCONNECTED, THE RGT LEAF SPRING CONNECTOR EFFECTIVELY GROUNDED THE RGT MAG, BUT THE LEFT MAG REMAIND UNGROUNDED FOR A TIME. THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF ARCING BETWEEN THE LEFT LEAF SPRING CONNECTOR & THE MAGNETO CASE. ALSO, THE SPARK VIBRATOR WAS FOUND TO BE WEAK. NO OTHER PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS FOUND.
Full Narrative
THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO START THE ENG & OBTAINED THE SERVICE OF A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DECIDED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH & DISCONNECTED THE P-LEADS WITH THE BELIEF THAT THIS WOULD MAKE THE MAGS CONTINUALLY 'HOT.' HOWEVER, WITH THE P-LEADS DISCONNECTED, THE MAGS SHOULD HAVE BEEN CONTINUALLY GROUNDED BY LEAF SPRING CONNECTORS. NEVER-THE-LESS, THE ENG STARTED WITH THE P-LEADS DISCONNECTED. AFTER TAKEOFF, WITH NO MAG CHECK, THE ENG BEGAN TO VIBRATE & MISFIRE & THE PLT TRIED TO RETURN TO THE ARPT. HOWEVER, THE ENG LOST ALL POWER & THE GEAR COLLAPSED DURING A FORCED LANDING, SHORT OF THE RWY. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT WITH THE P-LEADS DISCONNECTED, THE RGT LEAF SPRING CONNECTOR EFFECTIVELY GROUNDED THE RGT MAG, BUT THE LEFT MAG REMAIND UNGROUNDED FOR A TIME. THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF ARCING BETWEEN THE LEFT LEAF SPRING CONNECTOR & THE MAGNETO CASE. ALSO, THE SPARK VIBRATOR WAS FOUND TO BE WEAK. NO OTHER PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS FOUND.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 PST
Nearest AirportGansner Field (0nm N)
Runway24
Runway Length4100 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-24-260
Tail NumberN9218P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-D4A5 · Reciprocating · 260
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 72 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO