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GAA16CA005

2015-10-05 · Monterey, California, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport MRY

Current FAA registration · N53WW

Make / Model
BEECH A36
Seats / Engines
6 seats · 1 engine
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A6B01D

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's failure to see and avoid runway signage during taxi after landing, resulting in a collision and substantial damage to the left wing of the airplane.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that after landing, while taxiing to his hangar at night, he struck a distance remaining sign. He reported that all of the runway and taxiway lights were inoperative at the time he impacted the sign. The pilot also reported that the airplane landing and taxi lights were inoperative. When asked, the pilot could not recall if the airplane landing and taxi lights were operative during the preflight which he affirms was conducted. After the impact, the pilot continued to his hangar, secured the airplane, and contacted the airport manager the following morning. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The runway and taxiway lights were inoperative at the time of the accident, but the appropriate NOTAM had been issued, and the information was available to the pilot. The pilot reported that after landing, while taxiing to his hangar at night, he struck a distance remaining sign. He reported that all of the runway and taxiway lights were inoperative at the time he impacted the sign. The pilot also reported that the airplane landing and taxi lights were inoperative. When asked, the pilot could not recall if the airplane landing and taxi lights were operative during the preflight which he affirms was conducted. After the impact, the pilot continued to his hangar, secured the airplane, and contacted the airport manager the following morning. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The runway and taxiway lights were inoperative at the time of the accident, but the appropriate NOTAM had been issued, and the information was available to the pilot. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Personnel issues-Psychological-Attention/monitoring-Monitoring environment-Pilot - C
  • — Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Lighting system-Exterior lighting-Inoperative
  • — Environmental issues-Operating environment-Airport facilities/design-Runway lighting-Effect on operation
  • — Environmental issues-Operating environment-Airport facilities/design-Taxiway lighting-Effect on operation

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2015_GAA16CA005.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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