King Air C90 E90
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Other / Unknown; Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Aircraft
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged
Airport; Human Factors
As I entered the non-movement area of [the FBO] ramp I stopped the aircraft in order to coordinate with an outbound [aircraft]. The [aircraft] gave way and I continued into the parking area as directed by the marshaller. The marshaller was on my left and I needed to make a sweeping turn in order to access this parking spot. Unknown to me; a black and grey helicopter was parked in an unlit area of the ramp; outside of the normal transient tie-down area; partly impeding my progress to the designated parking spot. The aircraft marshaller continued to direct me into this parking spot with no indication of conflict; stating later that he had not directed me to stop or alter my course. As I maneuvered toward the marshaller; with my attention focused primarily on him and in front of my aircraft; at the pace of a normal walking speed; my right wingtip struck the tail boom of this parked helicopter. I initially believed I had struck a parking cone and stopped the aircraft immediately; shutting down my engines. My crew and I coordinated the unloading of our [passenger] and I began the standard incident notification process. A diagram of this incident has been sent to the Chief Pilot and the Director of Safety. In the past [our company] has been granted a well-lit parking space next to our hangar. Routinely parking in this same spot would minimize this type of incident from recurring. If [the FBO] is unwilling to grant us this space; we might request to be marshalled into areas that are only well-lit.Additionally; [the FBO] building has flood lights pointed onto the ramp where I was directed to park. These lights did not illuminate the helicopter; but I was required to proceed directly into their beam in order to access the marshaller's parking space. The effect of these lights reduced my ability to see the helicopter; such as driving into someone's high-beam headlights. Again; avoiding unlit areas of [the FBO]'s ramp would reduce the likelihood of recurring incidents. Lastly; painted ramp markings designating parking spaces would be helpful for transient aircraft. This would enable them to park in areas where base customers would expect to see them; as opposed to where this helicopter was parked - not in either the transient or overnight tie-down area.
King Air 90 Captain reported that while under the guidance of a Marshaller his wingtip struck the tail boom of a helicopter that was parked in a dark area of the ramp.