Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain a visual lookout while taxiing resulting in the aircraft's colliding with a runway sign. Contributing factors were dusk light conditions, the sign, and the pilot's diverting his attention to aircraft instrumentation during taxi.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On May 5, 1999, at 1950 hours Pacific daylight time, a Beech A36, N6034X, owned and operated by the pilot, collided with an airport sign after landing at the San Diego International Airport, San Diego, California. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the flight that was performed under 14 CFR Part 91. The business flight originated from Riverside, California, about 1910.
Airport officials reported that after the pilot landed at dusk on runway 27, he made a 90-degree northbound turn at taxiway intersection C4. Thereafter, while proceeding at less than 5 miles per hour, he again turned right, entered an oval area short of the desired taxiway, and collided with a runway sign. The pilot indicated to responding officials that the collision occurred while he was looking at instruments.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX99LA172