Date: 201603
Local time of day: 1801-2400
Location: ZHU.ARTCC, TX
Flight conditions: VMC
Weather elements / visibility: 10
Light: Night
Aircraft: PA-46 Malibu/Malibu Mirage/Malibu Matrix
Operator: Personal
Operating under: Part 91
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Climb
Airspace: Class E ZHU
ATC / advisory: Center ZHU
Aircraft component: Engine
Component problem: Malfunctioning
Reporter organization: Personal
Reporter function: Single Pilot; Pilot Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: 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
Contributing factors: Aircraft
Primary problem: Aircraft

Narrative: 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.




Synopsis: PA46 pilot reported diverting to a nearby alternate after experiencing a rough running engine.