| Crash location | 48.483889°N, 122.937500°W |
| Nearest city | Lopez Island, WA
48.503700°N, 122.897300°W 2.3 miles away |
| Tail number | N1876Z |
|---|---|
| Accident date | 30 Nov 2005 |
| Aircraft type | Cessna 210-5 |
| Additional details: | None |
On November 30, 2005, about 1735 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 210-5 (205), N1876Z, sustained substantial damage after colliding with an airport runway designator sign shortly before landing on runway 16 at the Lopez Island Airport, Lopez, Washington. The private pilot and two passengers aboard the airplane were not injured. The airplane is owned by the pilot and was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The flight originated from the Orcas Island Airport, Eastsound, Washington, approximately 10 minutes prior to the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the night flight.
In a written statement dated December 10, the pilot reported that the airplane "drifted" to the left of runway centerline during the visual approach and collided with a runway sign.
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from an airport sign during the visual approach. The sign was a factor in the accident.