Pilot Debrief

MOONEY M20C near Watsonville, CA — 2025-10-07

Final reportWPR26LA009
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Date
2025-10-07
Location
Watsonville, CA, USA
Airport
WVI
Aircraft
MOONEY M20C
Registration
N6814N
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s decision to program avionics during taxi, resulting in an inadvertent throttle input and collision with a hangar.

NTSB 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.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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