What happened
The aircraft experienced an engine malfunction shortly after takeoff. The engine quit due to magneto coils heating up and arcing through large cracks in the plastic coating. This specific electrical issue was addressed by one of the airworthiness directives that had not been complied with. Following the loss of power, the aircraft collided with unmarked high tension powerlines and subsequently impacted the ground.
The investigation
An examination of the maintenance records revealed significant neglect. The aircraft's annual inspection was thirteen years overdue. Additionally, twenty-eight airworthiness directives had not been complied with. The pilot had not logged any flight time in almost one year prior to the incident.
Findings
The failure of the engine was directly linked to the lack of maintenance. The magneto coils arced through large cracks in the plastic coating, a known issue covered by an airworthiness directive. The aircraft's registration was N12345. The aircraft type was a Cessna 172. The pilot was not injured.
Safety message
Regular maintenance and compliance with airworthiness directives are critical for flight safety. Deferring inspections and ignoring directives can lead to catastrophic mechanical failures.