PA-46 Malibu/Malibu Mirage/Malibu Matrix
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 500; Flight Crew Total 1650
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
I was completing my run up and my right magneto was showing less than a 150 rpm drop; I leaned the mixture and burned off the carbon; returned to the proper rpm setting check the mag once more; and it indicated fine. I then departed and headed west toward my destination. I was on an IFR flight plan; my planned altitude was 12000 feet. I made it to 9100 feet and I experienced a 'rough running' engine. My climb setting for power is 32' mp (Manifold Pressure) and it dropped to below 25'mp in a blink of an eye. I kicked on the emergency fuel pump; disconnected the autopilot and notified ATC that I was experiencing engine troubles. They asked what I wanted to do and where I wanted to go; I replied the closest airport possible. ATC suggested [a nearby airport] which I programmed in the GPS and headed in that direction. While on the way I tried to advance the throttle which seemed to make matters worse and also tried adjusting the mixture which also seemed to aggravate the situation; so I returned the throttle and mixture to the original spots and continued. ATC advised me that [the airport I was diverting to] had no services and most likely had no one around to help me if and when I landed so ATC suggested I fly to [another airport]; which had services and a control tower. I agreed and programmed the GPS. I had a steady controlled descent of around 800 ft per minute. I figured at that rate and distance if my engine held on I could make [the airport] with no problems. I lined up with [the] runway and as soon as my mains touched the ground my engine quit; without me reducing any power whatsoever. I waited to the last minute to drop my gear and flaps just in case my engine quit on short final I could get a little more glide with a clean configuration. So I'm stuck on [the] runway and I tried to restart [but] it would not start at all. I had to be towed to a maintenance facility. The next day the mechanic called me and told me that both magnetos were bad and I was very lucky to have made it that far. What I think that needs to happen to prevent this from happening again is perform tests and inspections after say 500 hrs of use.
PA46 pilot reported diverting to a nearby alternate after experiencing a rough running engine.