# NTSB LAX07CA053: North American AT-6C, N9525C, Mojave, CA, December 7, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: December 7, 2006, 10:49 local (18:49 UTC)
- Place: Mojave, CA
- Coordinates: 35.055557, -118.154998
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0556&lon=-118.1550&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 26, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 64988
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX07CA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64988/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA053

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from a sign while performing a low altitude maneuver.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - sign
  - low altitude flight/maneuver - initiated, pilot in command
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

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.

## 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.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9525C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9525C), registered now, S/N 88-12407 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: North American AT-6C
- Registry model: [North American AT-6C](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-at-6c) (registry code 6400412) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 88-12407
- Airframe hours: 6909
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney R1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2006
- Departed: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA
- Destination: MHV, MOJAVE, CA
- Airport: MHV, Mojave, runway 30, 9,502 × 200 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 1, 2005; seat: front; flight hours: 948 total, 725 in this make and model, 883 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.29 inHg
- Observed at: MHV

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20061207028839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20061207028839A), Dec 7, 2006: Namer AT6C, Mojave, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) During a demonstration bombing of pearl harbor, this aircraft N9525C impacted the bombing target at approx. 3 to 4 ft ag. The aircraft sustained…

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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