GAA19CA585

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that after landing on runway 11, "I realized that (runway) 5-23 was being used as a taxiway." He back taxied on runway 23, with the intent of departing runway 5. He made several CTAF transmissions to an airplane that had begun to taxi toward him on runway 23. Not knowing the taxiing airplane's intentions, he maneuvered his airplane to the left side of runway 5 and the left wing struck a construction sign. The airplane sustained substantial damage to left wing and aileron. According to airport NOTAM 09/076, runway 5/23 closed except to taxi Monday-Friday. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that, after landing on runway 11, he realized runway 5/23 was being used as a taxiway so he back taxied onto runway 23. He saw another airplane taxiing toward him and made several CTAF transmissions to the pilot but received no response. Not knowing the taxiing airplane's intentions, he maneuvered his airplane to the left side of runway 5, and the left wing struck a construction sign. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and aileron. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Sign/marker-Effect on equipment - C
• C Personnel issues-Psychological-Attention/monitoring-Monitoring environment-Pilot - C