Incident Overview
A pilot was preparing to depart from a non-towered airport under visual flight rules, intending to return to his home airport. After contacting flight service and starting the engine, he began taxiing toward the runway approximately 30 minutes after sunset.
Collision Details
While taxiing, the left wing of the airplane impacted an unlit, unoccupied truck, resulting in substantial damage to the aircraft. Review of security camera footage showed that the truck was parked partly on the taxiway. At the time of the impact, the airplane was on the taxiway centerline with its landing light illuminated.
Relevant Notices
An audio recording of a conversation between flight service and the assistant airport manager revealed that a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) was in effect at the time of the accident, closing the taxiways and runway. However, this NOTAM pertained only to aircraft weighing 13,500 pounds and above. Another NOTAM, which closed the taxiways to all aircraft, took effect approximately one hour after the accident.