Amateur-built MC-15 CRICKET accident near San Diego, California, August 29, 1995
On August 29, 1995, a amateur-built MC-15 CRICKET, registered N128HJ, was substantially damaged in an accident near San Diego, California. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the failure of the left engine due to inadequate maintenance of the ignition system.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 29, 1995
- Place
- San Diego, California
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built MC-15 CRICKET MC-15 CRIC
- Registration
- N128HJ · no longer on the register · serial 12-0128
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
APPROXIMATELY 4 MILES FROM THE DEPARTURE RUNWAY, THE LEFT ENGINE STOPPED ON THE TWO-ENGINE, AMATEUR-BUILT AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT ALTERED COURSE TOWARD HIS DESTINATION, BUT FOUND HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE ON THE REMAINING ENGINE AND ELECTED TO ATTEMPT AN OFF-AIRPORT LANDING ON A NEARBY ISLAND. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE LANDING SITE AND LANDED THE LANDPLANE IN THE WATER APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET OFFSHORE. INSPECTION OF THE FAILED ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE SINGLE IGNITION SYSTEM WAS INOPERATIVE DUE TO A CHAFFED PRIMARY WIRE WHICH HAD SHORT CIRCUITED TO THE ENGINE MOUNT. THE SECONDARY IGNITION WIRE WAS ALSO IN A DETERIORATED CONDITION. THE AIRCRAFT HAD RECEIVED AN ANNUAL INSPECTION AND HAD BEEN APPROVED FOR RETURN TO SERVICE 1 WEEK PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT AND HAD ACCUMULATED 2.4 HOURS SINCE INSPECTION.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 387 hours in all; 2 in this make and model; 10 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 317 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 114 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 19, 1995; 2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 375 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Jpx 212 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NKX Miramar Nas CA
- Destination: MYF CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 330° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.