PA-44 Seminole/Turbo Seminole
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Situational Awareness
Ground Event / Encounter Aircraft
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; General Evacuated
Human Factors; Environment - Non Weather Related; Airport
On a routine flight in order to gain night currency; a two person flight crew operated a Piper PA-44 Seminole. On initial taxi to the run up area near [spot Z]; flight crew noted a company aircraft performing a run up near [spot Z]. It was the flight crew's first time taxiing to [spot Z] with ramp procedures involving the use of only non movement areas after the preceding [few] months; where the ramp was closed for construction. The ramp was unlit and very dark making visibility through the wind screen difficult. The flight crew was focused on maintaining proper clearance from company aircraft located off the left wing and saw nothing ahead. The crew chose to run up on the other side of the aircraft and was then stopped by impacting a parked rotorcraft. The flight crew immediately shut off all engines and electrical power and evacuated the aircraft. Flight supervisor was immediately notified and correct authorities responded.Aircraft sustained damage to the right wing and right engine cowling/propeller. Struck helicopter sustained damage to the rear horizontal control surface and tail skid.
PA-44 pilot reports a ground collision with a parked helicopter while taxiing to the run up area. The flight crew was focused on avoiding an aircraft on the left and did not notice the helicopter in the darkness on the right.