On May 6, 1999, a Beech A36 (registration N6034X) was involved in an aviation accident near San Diego, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain situational awareness while taxiing, as evidenced by his statement that he was looking at instruments during the collision. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot landed at dusk and turned off the runway onto a taxiway. While proceeding slowly, he entered an oval area and collided with a runway sign while looking at instruments.
What happened
The aircraft touched down and landed at dusk. Following the landing, the pilot executed a ninety-degree turn off the active runway to enter a taxiway. The pilot then proceeded along the taxiway at a speed of less than five miles per hour.
While moving slowly, the pilot made another right turn. This maneuver caused the aircraft to leave the intended path and enter an oval-shaped area that was short of the desired taxiway route. During this movement, the aircraft collided with a runway sign. The pilot later informed responding officials that the collision occurred while he was looking at the instruments rather than outside the aircraft.
The investigation
Responding officials spoke with the pilot regarding the incident. The pilot indicated that his attention was focused on the instruments at the time of the impact.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain situational awareness while taxiing, as evidenced by his statement that he was looking at instruments during the collision.