Piper PA32R accident near Indianapolis, Indiana, October 21, 2018
On October 21, 2018 at about 6:44 pm local time, a 1977 Piper PA32R, registered N2920Q, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Indianapolis, Indiana. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power due to displacement of the dual magneto’s internal camshaft, which resulted in the magneto’s inability to produce spark.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 21, 2018 · about 6:44 pm local time
- Place
- Indianapolis, Indiana · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA32R 300, built 1977 · all PA32Rs on the register
- Registration
- N2920Q · no longer on the register · serial 32R-7780266
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he was approaching his destination airport at 1,000 ft above ground level when the engine lost total power. After an unsuccessful attempt to restart the engine, the pilot performed a forced landing to a nearby parking lot, during which the airplane sustained substantial damage. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the single-drive dual magneto failed to produce spark due to the displacement of its camshaft. As a result, when the camshaft was positioned to neutral, the contact points were opened instead of closed, and when the camshaft was rotated approximately 8°, the points were closed when they should have been open. The magneto was then re-assembled to manufacturer specifications, tested, and found to produce spark on all ignition leads. The displacement of the camshaft resulted in the magneto not producing spark on any of its ignition leads, and a subsequent loss of engine power. It could not be determined if the displacement of the magneto camshaft was a result of an improper installation or if it moved in flight.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Ignition system › Magneto/distributor › Inoperative
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 5,046 hours in all; 3,468 in this make and model; 34 in the last 90 days; 13 in the last 30 days; 4,821 as pilot in command; 1,425 on instruments
- Last flight review: October 23, 2017
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,788.9 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 18, 2018
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming TIO 540 (piston); 3,916 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: UMP Indianapolis IN at 6:34 pm
- Destination: EYE Indianapolis IN
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 50°F (10°C), dew point 28°F (-2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.29 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 pm from KEYE, 4 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on January 19, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Initial Magneto Exam at Cmg | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Follow Up Magneto Exam at Cmi | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Magneto Testing | MOV file | Download |
| 5 | FAA Maintenance Records | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.