Is the ignition tumbler lock supposed to pop out on a Cessna 172?
December 29, 2008
It was my first time to fly a small airplane. The flight instructor told me to turn it off and take out the key for a moment to let the starter cool off and let the avgas evaporate. "Hung Start". The tumbler for the magneto switch/lock came out when I pulled the key out! The instructor then fumbled with it to put it back in and we were able to do the half hour flight. Is that part supposed to come out so easily? What holds it in? Is it safe? Is that airworthy? Needless to say I don't feel very confident about Cesnnas after this experience. It was a 1990's model too with the 180 hp fuel injection. So it was not that old. My car is older then that airplane. I don't think that flight training school is maintaining their airplanes very well. On the other hand, if that's the case, I would think the FAA would shut them down because they inspect everything.
What do you guys make of this?
That is a fault in the manufacturing of the switch and not the fault of flight school or Cessna
The switch was not made by cessna as matter of fact it is made by a vendor who supplies the same FAA approved switches to several aircraft manufacturers. It was defective and you were the lucky one who had this happen to. But look at the bright things like this only happen on the ground.
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4 Responses to “Is the ignition tumbler lock supposed to pop out on a Cessna 172?”
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Cessna locks (and Piper locks and other small aircraft locks) sometimes do this. It's not a big deal.
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That is a fault in the manufacturing of the switch and not the fault of flight school or Cessna
The switch was not made by cessna as matter of fact it is made by a vendor who supplies the same FAA approved switches to several aircraft manufacturers. It was defective and you were the lucky one who had this happen to. But look at the bright things like this only happen on the ground.
References :
Unfortunately the fit and finish of cessna aircraft has, in my opinion, fallen off quite a bit.
I had a 1972 Cessna 172 for years and never had a problem with it.
I purchased a new 2005 model a few years back and within a month the head set plugs had punched through the cheap plastic they were built into, the autopilot had failed 3 times and the seat belts kept locking up.
I sold that after about 1 year of ownership and purchased a Mooney.
Never been happier.
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Never had that happen in mine, but the fuel primer has popped out a few times through the years. I have heard of the switches popping out on several aircraft. A friend's Beech A36 had that happen a few times. He got a replacement for it from Beech. Its just one of those irritating things that happen, but nothing to lose sleep over.
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