Small Aircraft
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 100; Flight Crew Total 970; Flight Crew Type 900
Situational Awareness
Ground Event / Encounter Ground Strike - Aircraft; Ground Excursion Taxiway
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged
Airport; Human Factors
Prop strike. [I was] taxiing aircraft at HYI airport from ramp to taxiway at night. No markings or lighting indicated direction to taxiway. With airport diagram open as a reference; [I] cut a corner of the pathway short; putting the nose of the aircraft in the ditch. I immediately secured the aircraft and evacuated. Prop and engine were damaged and also the corner of the pathway where the prop struck. No evidence of any other damage. No injuries. Taxi speed was a brisk walk and aircraft lights were on. Contributing factors were night operations; unfamiliar airport; and lack of illumination/markings. To prevent recurrence; avoid going to unfamiliar airports at night and have improved lighting and markings at airport with hazards close to pathways and taxiways.
Small aircraft pilot reported taxiing into a ditch at HYI airport. Reporter cited poor lighting and signage as contributing factors.