Magneto technology is some of the oldest and most trusted in the aviation industry!

However, what happens when a pilot has magneto failure? When one magneto fails, there are a few things a pilot might notice. First, there will be a decrease in engine power, but the engine will remain running thanks to the second system being independent of the first. Second, sometimes a magneto can malfunction in its failure to ignite the spark plugs, or the internal timing may malfunction. In this instance, the pilot will notice the engine beginning to run rough and will need to switch to the remaining magneto and see if that clears the problem.

Even though an engine will continue to run with the loss of one magneto, there are several problems with having a magneto failure mid-flight. With the loss of one magneto comes the security of redundancy. They are a vital piece of equipment, and there is a reason that aircraft are built with two. Additionally, the loss of engine power can be potentially problematic, though in most cases does not pose a serious threat to the safety of pilots and guests.

Even in the case of magneto failure, only a very few accidents are a direct result of magneto failure, according to statistics provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. NRSB reports 16 recorded cases of aviation accidents due to magneto failure, with two of those sixteen being fatal. Most of these failures were listed as being caused by a lack of maintenance or non-compliance with servicing and inspections. 

With attention to detail and a history of reliability, Kelly Aero has made sure that the magnetos produced are dependable and safe. Our products are designed and engineered using in-house resources, with additional tooling and manufacturing for aftermarket magnetos occurring at our facilities. We offer an FAA and PMA approved quality system, which is readily available with low wait times. We both meet and exceed the standard industry testing with our own set of criteria for the product, whether it be the full system or a replacement part. We want to work with customers to ensure the delivery of a product that is first and foremost high quality and reliable, and that meets their needs.

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