Small Transport; Low Wing; 2 Recip Eng
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Total 20380
Communication Breakdown; Distraction; Workload; Situational Awareness; Time Pressure
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Object
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airport; Environment - Non Weather Related; Weather; Human Factors
It was dark and wet with intermittent very light rain. I was given a clearance to taxi to Runway 13R at Alpha 1 on Taxiway Alpha. While taxiing I was looking inside and outside while setting radio frequencies. All of a sudden I noticed an orange construction barrier right in my path. I swerved to the right to miss it. I watched it go by my left propeller very close. I was unsure if I had hit it so I told Ground that I would like to exit the taxiway onto the ramp to check something. I shut down and my passengers and I got out with flashlights and proceeded to check the aircraft. We found absolutely no signs of any damage whatsoever. After this inspection I assumed that I had missed the barrier. I elected to continue to continue and we flew home. After arriving back a call from Operations confirmed that it looked like I had indeed put a few small slices in the plastic barrier. There were many variables I feel that led up to this.1. Perceived familiarity with the airport.2. I was there all day and I was late for another flight I had to make in another aircraft upon my return.3. Dark and wet4. Being in too much of a hurry5. The taxiway centerline went right into the barriersI feel fortunate that I saw it when I did. It would have been much worse had I not see it at all. To prevent this from recurring: NEVER EVER taxi while programming or doing something inside. I don't recall Ground Control or the ATIS giving a warning about the obstacles. Re-striping a centerline around it may have helped.
The Reporter stated that he did not remember a NOTAM regarding a taxiway obstruction nor did Ground Control mention it. The previous day the Reporter flown in and out of BFI and did not see the obstruction on that trip. He suggested a Ground Control comment something like; Caution Taxiway Obstruction at A7; similar to Caution Jet Blast. Also; a complete obstruction such as this should have required a temporary taxiway centerline replacement.
A pilot; taxiing on BFI Taxiway A in dark wet conditions; detected an orange construction barrier on the taxiway centerline. After diverting; thought he avoided it but was informed at his destination that his propeller struck the barrier.