>>At the direction of the DOM, compressed air was aimed at the magneto to dry it out the pilot/DOM claimed was simply damp. A passenger who subsequently died in the crash expressed concerns about engine’s failure to start. A mechanic’s answer was once it starts it will keep running. <<
This has all the appearances of assuming the same cause of a problem (engine won't start) and addressing it with a solution which had worked in the past, then deciding the problem was solved when the engine eventually started and "ran", however poorly. This is shadetree mechanic stuff. Collings Foundation may get their LHFE waiver back someday but they'll have to do a really good job of convincing the FAA they are completely on top of Best Practices - which are based on plain old common sense.