SR20 pilot and passenger reported that during taxi for takeoff; the pilot had a taxiway excursion resulting in damage to the propeller and two taxiway lights.
Synopsis
SR20 pilot and passenger reported that during taxi for takeoff; the pilot had a taxiway excursion resulting in damage to the propeller and two taxiway lights.
Narrative
On Day 0; I went flying with my friend in a Cirrus SR-20 aircraft which was based at ZZZ1 in Location Y. My friend was qualified to conduct the flight in every way (Flight Review; Landings; IFR Recency; Medical Certification; Flight School Rules). The idea was for him to fly some practice approaches in IMC and for us to work our way over to Location X and eat dinner at the restaurant on the field at ZZZ. Since I have been retired from commercial flying for months; my status on the flight was that of an XX-year-old passenger. Although I have no current FAA Medical Certification; no current Flight Review; no recent IFR experience; and no recent landings; I'm still very much interested in flying. I have many type ratings; an Airline Transport Pilot Rating as well as a Flight Instructor Rating in Single and Multiengine Airplanes. Since my initial solo flight in Year X; I have logged thousands of hours in many different aircraft; including Civil and Military jet aircraft. It's unlikely that I will ever pass up a chance to fly somewhere for dinner with a friend! After dinner at the fabulous little restaurant at ZZZ; we taxied out in the dark to fly back to ZZZ1. In retrospect; the left main gear went off of the taxiway and damaged two taxiway lights as well as one tip of the three-bladed propeller. At the time; we did not know that there had been any damage to the prop or the lights. All of the before takeoff checks were completed normally. The takeoff and flight back to ZZZ1 were uneventful. Upon exiting the plane in ZZZ1; we noticed the prop damage. My friend made the appropriate notifications and will keep up with the paperwork associated with the situation which is apparently neither an accident nor a reportable incident. My take-away is that; even as a passenger; I need to be vigilant at all times when I'm in any airplane.
Second reporter narrative
SynopsisDamage to a single propeller blade tip was discovered post-flight following nighttime taxi at a non-towered airport with challenging taxiway markings and visibility. No ground contact was perceived during taxi; takeoff; landing; or taxi-in upon landing. This event highlights human factors; nighttime taxiing; lighting and situational awareness challenges.Detailed NarrativeThis was a Part 91 general aviation nighttime flight. I was IFR current. My passenger friend was a retired; non-current CFII. The purpose of the flight was to perform approaches for continued currency and eat dinner on the field at ZZZ. My filed IFR flight plan was ZZZ1 to ZZZ2 with ZZZ as alternate; with planned 'missed' approaches at ZZZ2. I coordinated the ZZZ2 approaches in advance with ATC enroute. After the ZZZ2 approaches; I requested direct to ZZZ the filed alternate. The outbound flight from ZZZ1 to ZZZ2; AND approaches and subsequent continuation to ZZZ was normal. After landing at ZZZ we had dinner on the field. Prior to dinner I filed my IFR return. Nighttime conditions at ZZZ were dark with little to no moon illumination.Preflight inspection at ZZZ was normal. Fuel; oil; and aircraft condition were satisfactory. Engine start was normal. I announced taxi intentions on ZZZ CTAF and began the taxi to Runway XX. While taxiing; the taxiway environment appeared visually challenging. Taxiway centerline markings and adjacent parallel pavement markings of the taxiway; when combined with high lighting contrast during night operations; created a visual illusion in which the taxiway appeared to split. I recognized that I was off the taxiway centerline and corrected my alignment. At no point did I perceive leaving the paved surface of the taxiway or contacting any object. I did not observe any abnormal motion; vibration; or impact. I specifically recall looking toward the left side of the aircraft and did not observe grass or unpaved surface. The before takeoff/run-up checklist was completed normally and the engine run-up at 2200 RPM per checklist was normal. I called approach for my release and was cleared for departure. I then announced my departure on CTAF. Application of takeoff power and takeoff acceleration were smooth with no abnormal vibration; airspeed or engine indications. The return flight to ZZZ1; including departure climb-out; cruise; descent; approach; landing; and taxi-in; was normal and uneventful; with no abnormal vibration or engine indications.After shutdown at ZZZ1; damage was observed to the tip of a single propeller blade. No damage was observed to the other two propeller blades; nose gear; main gear; wheel fairings or other areas of the aircraft. At no point during taxi; takeoff; flight; landing; or taxi-in did I perceive ground contact with a fixed object; abnormal vibration; or unusual engine behavior. I immediately notified my rental center owner via phone call. At no point during taxi; takeoff; flight; landing; or taxi-in did I perceive any abnormalevent. The propeller tip damage was discovered only after shutdown; during post-flightinspection. Subsequent information obtained the following day indicated that taxiway light at ZZZ was damaged. The contact was not perceived at the time during taxi.Human Factors/Contributing Factors:1. Night operations with no moon illumination2. High-contrast lighting environment3. Centerline markings with adjacent parallel pavement markings4. Visual illusions related to taxiway geometry5. Reduced depth perception during night taxi6. Single long taxiway without clear intermediate reference points to a split in taxiways.Safety Lessons LearnedThis event reinforces the importance of heightened caution during night taxi operations;particularly at unfamiliar or minimally lit airports.In the future; I will:1. Review all taxiways in detail as part of the preflight checklist2. Use the zoomed in MFD (Multi-Function Flight Display) airport diagram view during taxi; even at seemingly simple airports3. Stop and reorient immediately if taxiway alignment appears unclear4. Treat night taxi with the same level of briefing and planning as night approaches
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.