Event LAX07CA053

Factual narrative

On December 7, 2006, at 1049 Pacific standard time, a North American AT-6C, N9525C, impacted a sign while conducting a low altitude fly-by at Mojave Airport, Mojave, California. The pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage to the leading edge of the right wing. The local personal flight departed Van Nuys, California, about 1010. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The approximate global positioning system (GPS) coordinates of the accident site were 35 degrees 03.33 minutes north latitude and 118 degrees 09.06 minutes west longitude. In a written statement, the pilot stated that during a mock bombing run at an erected target/sign, which was off to the side of runway 30, he descended too low, and the right wing impacted the target. He heard a "thump," and realized that he had struck the target. The pilot then circled around, and landed on runway 08. The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. The aircraft collided with an obstacle during an intentional low altitude pass at an airport. During a mock bombing run at an erected target/sign, which was off to the side of runway 30, the pilot descended too low, and the right wing impacted the sign. The pilot heard a "thump," and realized that he had struck the sign. He then circled around and landed on runway 08. The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12