PA-28 Cherokee/Archer/Dakota/Pillan/Warrior
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 8; Flight Crew Total 179; Flight Crew Type 49
Training / Qualification; Physiological - Other; Confusion
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Ground Event / Encounter Object; Ground Excursion Taxiway
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Human Factors
Taxiing out to runway from southern T-hangars; I was heading west with a 10 knot tailwind. I was not able to get the plane to turn right at the taxiway and differential braking was seemingly ineffective. Avoided a propeller strike with taxiway light by braking left and right; wing hit taxiway sign. Impact speed was approximately 5 knots. Fuel cell was damaged; was removed and is being replaced. Taxiway sign was damaged and will be repaired/replaced. No other damage to plane and no injuries.
The Reporter stated that because the rudder pedal had a hump at the bottom; her very small feet were not sufficiently high on the rudder pedal to fully apply the brakes. It felt as if she were pressing the brake; but full brake throw was not attained and so the aircraft exited the taxiway and was damaged.
A PA-28 struck a taxiway sign after the pilot's very small feet did not apply differential braking to turn the aircraft because the hump on the bottom of the rudder pedals prevented the toe end of the foot from pressing the brake sufficiently.