There are numerous hazards in a parking area - chocks, grounding wires, ropes, tiedown cables, people and other aircraft. After refueling, the pilot taxied on a paved taxiway to a grass tie-down area. When the aircraft entered the grass area, the nosewheel entered a storm drain, which allowed the prop to strike the ground. The hazards of taxiing off of a designated taxiway have already been covered. The risks are even higher when taxiing on unpaved surfaces.
Hazards can be hidden, so extreme caution is warranted.
Holes, mud, rocks, drains and a wide assortment of other obstructions can lie in wait, concealed by grass. The Bottom Line Of the nine mishaps described, four occurred during landing and five happened during taxi. During the landing phase of flight, loss of aircraft control, for a wide variety of reasons, was the leading cause. Factors such as wind, fatigue, bad judgement and lack of proficiency certainly contributed to the loss of control. Crosswind and wind shear training, under the watchful eye of a CFI, would certainly help prepare pilots for these challenges.