Cessna 425/441 Conquest I/Conquest II
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 70; Flight Crew Total 13000; Flight Crew Type 600
Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Ground Event / Encounter Object; Ground Excursion Taxiway
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors; Procedure; Airport
I was taxiing to the main ramp at my home base. It was night time; rain showers had moved through the area prior to our arrival. It was a very dark moonless night with a lot of glare and reflection due to the rain that had fallen earlier. At this airport we have a military base. We actually got vectored all around to accommodate this [military aircraft] that was out flying. They landed ahead of us on a parallel runway. I had got my taxi instructions from ground control after landing. The taxi clearance was routine. As I crossed a runway prior to entering the ramp area I caught sight of our Marshaller. I continued down the taxiway then made a turn towards the Marshaller. As I started my turn I heard some banging sounds and realized I had left the taxiway. This all happened approximately 100 feet from where our Marshaller was. The tower had failed to turn on the taxiway lights. It was later brought to my attention that the [military aircraft] was doing night vision goggle training. It is my understanding that is why the taxi lights weren't illuminated. I can guarantee had they been illuminated this would not have happened.
C441 pilot reported a taxiway excursion at night while the taxiway lights were intentionally off by the Tower for night vision goggle training by a military flight crew.