Amateur-built BD-5B accident near San Martin, California, March 2, 1996
On March 2, 1996 at about 9:11 pm local time, a amateur-built BD-5B, registered N69SW, was substantially damaged in an accident near San Martin, California (South County Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot/builder's improper installation (overtorque) of the ignition switch on the instrument panel, which caused an internal switch failure and subsequent malfunction 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
- March 2, 1996 · about 9:11 pm local time
- Place
- San Martin, California · South County Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built BD-5B
- Registration
- N69SW · no longer on the register · serial 001
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, the airplane was in the initial takeoff climb from runway 32, when the engine lost power. He attempted a landing on a freeway median, but the airplane collided with a sign and fence posts. During an investigation, the instrument panel toggle switch, marked 'ignition,' would not stay in the up (on) position. Removal of the switch revealed that its plastic back casing was broken with no impact damage or deformation noted in the surrounding structure. The mechanic, who removed the switch, stated that it was installed excessively tight on the panel. After being removed from the panel, the switch would stay in the up (on) position. The engine was then successfully started and operationally checked.
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; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 400 hours in all; 38 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 38 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 1,100 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Honda (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Q99 at 9:10 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 32, 3,100 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 15,000 ft
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 8:48 pm from SJC, 25 miles away
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.