Incident Overview
A commercial certificated pilot was preparing to taxi for takeoff when another airplane taxied behind, waiting for the pilot to proceed. The pilot, not ready, motioned for the second airplane to move ahead. When it did not move, the pilot decided to reposition his airplane and taxied outside the taxiway lights, where he stopped.
Sequence of Events
With the sun in his eyes, the pilot waited for the second airplane to depart. After it did, he began to taxi forward. However, he did not see a taxiway sign for taxiway "C" that was under the nose of his airplane. The sign was approximately 3 feet wide and 3 feet high.
Damage Details
The right main landing gear struck the sign, displacing the landing gear strut aft about 18 inches. Additionally, the right wing lift struts were bent when they struck the top of the taxiway sign.