Skylane 182/RG Turbo Skylane/RG
Flight Crew Private; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 20; Flight Crew Total 600; Flight Crew Type 200
Situational Awareness
Ground Event / Encounter Object
General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Maintenance Action
Human Factors
Upon taxiing from our parking position; the propeller struck a rubber orange cone placed in front of the airplane by FBO personnel; throwing the cone across the ramp. We shut down and opted to drive to our destination to allow maintenance to investigate any propeller damage when they were available. Despite my performing a walk-around preflight (including turning the prop over a couple of times); a sport pilot rated passenger checking the engine oil door; and an FBO fuel truck operator; none of the three of us noticed the orange cone which had apparently been placed in front of the airplane less than ten feet in front of the nose (judging from how far we taxied. I never saw it). I believe the focus of my preflight was inward; that is; looking at the plane; rather than its surroundings. Once in the airplane and started the cone was too low beneath the nose to see it from the cabin. This was merely a stupid mistake that is hard to explain how both of us pilots could have missed it. In the future I will always take a 'broad view' of the airplane and surroundings after my detailed walk-around and be sure to look for potential hazards in the area; on the taxiway; etc. I would also suggest the FBO not place cones in front of the plane. Cones at the wingtips may help avoid planes getting too close and hitting wingtips but cones in front of the planes seem to offer little benefit.
A C182 pilot struck a rubber cone with the prop while taxiing from parking.