Turbo Commander 690 Series
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 64; Flight Crew Total 5969; Flight Crew Type 107
Confusion; Situational Awareness
Ground Event / Encounter Object; Ground Excursion Runway
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged
Human Factors
[I was] instructed to taxi from the FBO at PHX to Runway 7L Intersection F6 crossing Runway 7R which was closed for construction. The pilot accepted an intersection takeoff at F6 and was cleared for takeoff by the Tower. During the takeoff roll the pilot noticed the 'TRIM' warning annunciator illuminate. The pilot knew that the trim warning was very sensitive on the aircraft and glanced down at the trim indicator to verify it was in the takeoff range; which it was. The pilot then noticed that the warning light had gone out. The pilot corrected his position to the right to ensure he was back on the runway centerline per the runway centerline lights. Approximately 1-2 seconds prior to rotation the pilot noticed 2 thumps in quick succession and assumed it was the nose wheel running over the runway centerline lights. Upon landing the pilot inspected the aircraft during the post flight and found no abnormalities. The aircraft was due to have its main tires replaced; and as the pilot would be down for Part 135 rest until the afternoon; he left a message for the Mechanic to change the tires in the morning. During the tire change the Mechanic noticed damage to the right main brake caliper and informed the pilot. The pilot remembered the thumps during the takeoff roll in Phoenix and suspected the damage could be related. Upon further inspection of the aircraft the pilot noted a dent with a puncture in the aircraft skin underneath the nose cone section of the fuselage. The pilot suspected he had impacted F.O.D. on the runway and informed the Director of Operations. The Director of Operations contacted Phoenix Tower and they reported to him that the aircraft had collided with several runway edge lights on the right side of the runway.Upon reflection of the incident; the pilot determined that when glancing back at the runway after checking the trim indicator; he believed to be off center and mistook the runway edge lights for the runway centerline lights. He steered the aircraft to the right to get back on to what he believed to be the runway centerline lights; when in fact he was actually lined up with the runway edge lights. After checking the AFD the pilot confirmed that unlike most large airports; the runways at PHX are not equipped with runway centerline lights.
AC90 pilot reported mistaking the runway edge lights for the centerline lights during a night takeoff at PHX; resulting in damage to the aircraft and several runway edge lights.