The pilot of a King Air mistook taxiway edge lights and markings for centreline guidance before one of the aircraft’s propellers struck a light while taxiing at night at Hobart Airport, an ATSB final report details.
On the evening of 1 July 2025, the RFDS Beechcraft B200 King Air commenced taxiing at Hobart, for a planned flight to Launceston, with two pilots and a paramedic on board.
The pilot flying was operating under the guidance of a supervisory pilot, prior to their final line check. Conditions were dark, with little to no moonlight, and good visibility.
The aircraft entered and backtracked on runway 30 before reaching the threshold and commencing a 180° turn.
“The flight crew reported the common technique for taxiing and turning the King Air B200 is to make a wide arc turn to reduce stress on the undercarriage,” ATSB Director Transport Safety Dr Stuart Godley said.
“But during the turn in this case, the pilot flying steered the aircraft away from the centreline taxiway ground markings, toward the right runway edge, later reporting they had subconsciously mistaken the blue taxiway edge lights and double yellow line as taxi centreline guidance.”
During the turn, the aircraft struck one of the taxiway edge lights with its right propeller, and the flight crew taxied back to the apron.
A post shutdown inspection found damage to the right propeller, and the aircraft was grounded for repairs.
Dr Godley said the incident demonstrated how pilots need to be vigilant and maintain an awareness of their location.
“The airport environment contains numerous visual aids, markings, signals and signs to help pilots remain situationally aware of their location, traffic and intended ground tracks to avoid obstacles.”
The ATSB’s final report notes the supervising pilot noticed the aircraft deviating closer to the edge lighting, but did not intervene in time to avoid it striking the light.
“Effective monitoring in a multi-crew environment is paramount to aircraft safety,” Dr Godley said.
“Bringing deviations to the early attention of the pilot flying promptly ensures the aircraft remains on a desirable track.”
Read the final report: Propeller strike of a taxiway edge light involving Beechcraft King Air B200C, VH-RFD, Hobart Airport, Tasmania, on 1 July 2025