Probable cause
A worn wire in the magneto system, which allowed intermittent grounding and a loss of engine power.
NTSB analysis
The pilot was repositioning the airplane when the engine lost power. He made a forced landing in a soft field, and the airplane nosed over. An examination of the wreckage revealed a worn wire on one magneto. It is likely that the intermittent grounding of the magneto could have caused the engine to surge and lose power.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR10LA272 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 1, 2010
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Waterville, Washington
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Eagle Eagle DW-1
- N-number
- N8815U
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Positioning
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.