On 30 Aug 2011, a PIPER PA-18-150 operated by FEJES GUIDE SERVICE LTD was involved in an aviation accident near Cape Yakataga, AK. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot inadvertently switching off the engine magnetos during the initial climb, resulting in a loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the manufacturer's placement of the magneto switches. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 13 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A pilot accidentally switched off the engine magneto switches with his coat sleeve during initial climb, causing engine shutdown. Unable to restart at low altitude, he landed in rough terrain, sustaining substantial aircraft damage.
Incident Overview
During the initial climb, the pilot inadvertently contacted the guarded engine magneto switches on the left side of the cabin with his coat sleeve while operating the trim handle. This action caused the airplane's engine to shut down. Recognizing the problem but facing low altitude constraints, the pilot decided against attempting an engine restart and instead opted to land. The airplane touched down in an area populated with tree stumps and brush, resulting in substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage.
Examination Findings
A subsequent examination of the magneto switches on the accident airplane, as well as on other similar models, revealed that a pilot's coat sleeve can inadvertently come into contact with these guarded switches. The pilot expressed that relocating the magneto switches to the instrument panel could have prevented the incident.