<< >> NASA ASRS Report 1057479, November 2012

When the right engine of their PA-31 started to surge and display increasing oil and cylinder head temperatures the flight crew performed an in-flight shutdown; declared an emergency with ATC; and diverted to the nearest suitable airport.

Attributes
ACN	1057479
Time
Date	201211
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	PA-31 Navajo/Chieftan/Mojave/T1040
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Climb
Route In Use	Direct
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Magneto/Distributor
Person 1
Function	Pilot Flying Captain
Qualification	Flight Crew Flight Instructor Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 43.8 Flight Crew Total 5623.1 Flight Crew Type 493.2
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical

Narrative:

After initial climbout; the right engine started to surge. The other pilot and I both noticed that the oil and cylinder head temperatures also started to rise. With no clear explanation of the cause; I performed a precautionary shutdown of the right engine. We informed ATC and declared an emergency when switched to approach control. They asked us if we needed crash fire rescue equipment and; not knowing the extent of the situation; we requested the services. We proceeded to land without further incident. After inspection by a mechanic; it was found that the right magneto had partially failed.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: When the right engine of their PA-31 started to surge and display increasing oil and cylinder head temperatures the flight crew performed an in-flight shutdown; declared an emergency with ATC; and diverted to the nearest suitable airport.

Narrative: After initial climbout; the right engine started to surge. The other pilot and I both noticed that the oil and cylinder head temperatures also started to rise. With no clear explanation of the cause; I performed a precautionary shutdown of the right engine. We informed ATC and declared an emergency when switched to Approach Control. They asked us if we needed CFR and; not knowing the extent of the situation; we requested the services. We proceeded to land without further incident. After inspection by a Mechanic; it was found that the right magneto had partially failed.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.