CircumFlightN6814N accident
NTSB WPR26LA009 · 2025-10-07 · Watsonville, CA · near WVI
Docket — crew, injuries and powerplant
Factual narrative
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.
Probable cause
The pilot’s decision to program avionics during taxi, resulting in an inadvertent throttle input and collision with a hangar. The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident.
Circumstances
- Event type
- Accident
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather conditions
- Visual Meteorological Cond
- Light condition
- Day
- Sky condition
- NONE
- Ceiling (ft)
- 0
- Visibility (sm)
- 10
- Wind direction
- 230
- Wind speed (kt)
- 6
- Temperature (F)
- 66
- Nearest airport
- WATSONVILLE MUNI
- Distance from field
- 0.0
- Airport elevation
- 163
Aircraft
| Registration | Make | Model | Damage | FAR part |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N6814N | — | — | SUBS | 091 |
Sequence of events
| # | Occurrence | Phase |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taxi Ground collision defining | Taxi |