What happened
The incident occurred during nighttime operations under dark conditions. The pilot was taxiing the aircraft toward the beginning of a runway. At the point where the taxiway made a ninety-degree turn to connect with the runway, the pilot failed to observe the change in direction.
Instead of following the curve of the taxiway, the aircraft continued straight ahead. As a result, the aircraft left the paved surface and entered a ditch that was three feet deep.
The investigation
A review of the airport infrastructure revealed significant deficiencies in the taxiway markings at the location of the incident. There were no edge markings present to delineate the boundary of the taxiway. Additionally, the centerline stripe was not constructed from reflective material, which likely contributed to the pilot's inability to identify the turn in the low-light conditions.
Findings
The primary factors contributing to this event included the lack of adequate visual guidance for the pilot during nighttime operations. The absence of taxiway edge markings and non-reflective centerline stripes reduced situational awareness. The dark environment further compounded these issues, making it difficult to perceive the geometry of the taxiway.
Safety message
This event highlights the importance of clear and reflective taxiway markings for safe ground operations at night. Airports should ensure that all taxiways have adequate edge and centerline markings that are visible under low-light conditions to prevent similar incidents.