Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's decision to not follow the designated taxiway, and failure to maintain clearance from a sign.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
During the landing roll, as the pilot approached the end of the runway, he decided to cut the corner from the runway to the taxiway. He said the airplane collided with a sign that he did not see. The collision resulted in substantial damage to the underside of the right wing, and the lower right wing spars were broken and separated. He said that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or the engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot reported that he was making his final landing of the night and had just touched down. During the landing roll as he approached the end of runway 31R, he decided to cut the corner from the runway to the taxiway and substantially damaged the underside of his right wing when the airplane collided with a sign. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions of failures with the airframe or the engine that would have precluded normal operation. The damage included broken and separated lower right wing spars.