# NTSB WPR26LA009: Mooney M20C, N6814N, Watsonville, CA, October 7, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 7, 2025, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Watsonville, CA · On Airport - Coordinates: 36.935733, -121.78963 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9357&lon=-121.7896&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 20, 2025 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 201812 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR26LA009 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/201812/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201812 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA009 ## Probable cause The pilot’s decision to program avionics during taxi, resulting in an inadvertent throttle input and collision with a hangar. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Towing and taxiing: taxiing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010920): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010920/cases.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010920/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: powerplant parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062050): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062050/cases.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 81 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062050/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the airplane reported that while taxiing for departure he reached over to enter navigation information into the GPS, which was mounted on the right-side control yoke. While moving his hand back to the left side yoke, he inadvertently advanced the throttle forward. Subsequently, the airplane accelerated forward and impacted a hangar, which resulted in substantial damage to the engine mount. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6814N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6814N), registered now, S/N 680111, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MOONEY M20C - Registry model: [Mooney M20C](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20c) (registry code 5870208) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming HO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ho-360-series) (registry code 41513, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 680111 - Year built: 1968 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Destination: SBP, San Luis Obispo, CA - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: WVI, Watsonville Muni - Equipment: ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Handheld GPS, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 78; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 25, 2025; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 638 total, 56 in this make and model, 587 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: KWVI - METAR: METAR KWVI 071853Z AUTO 23006KT 10SM CLR 19/13 A2989 RMK AO2 SLP120 T01940133= ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 20, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201812. 2.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19509618&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 96 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19509540&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20phone%20conversation_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 531 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19510727&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20array%20redacted-Rel.pdf 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.