Preliminary Report: Citation clips sign on takeoff

Cessna 550 Citation II, San Diego, Calif., Oct. 8, 2009–The twinjet–operated by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency–was substantially damaged after it struck a runway sign during takeoff roll from North Island Naval Air Station. After assessing the damage en route, the flight crew decided to return to North Island and made an uneventful landing. Subsequent examination revealed damage to the outer two feet of the right wing as well as to a dome sensor on the right side of the aircraft. The two pilots and technician on board were not injured.