Date: 201812
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Flight conditions: VMC
Weather elements / visibility: 10
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Operator: Personal
Operating under: Part 91
Flight plan: None
Mission: Personal
Flight phase: Taxi
Second aircraft: Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Reporter organization: Personal
Reporter function: Single Pilot; Pilot Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Private
Human factors: Situational Awareness
Anomaly: Ground Event / Encounter Aircraft
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: Taxi
Result: Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; General Maintenance Action
Contributing factors: Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors; Procedure
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: While taxiing from the ramp; I chose a route that led me to a confined area between a FBO building and several hangars. As I approached the confined portion of the taxiway; I observed several hangar tenants had parked their vehicles near one side of the taxiway. Additionally; an airplane had been parked on the other side of the taxiway such that its vertical tail was slightly intruding into the taxi area. I slowed considerably and attempted to weave between the two obstructions. Unfortunately; the area was too narrow and my left wingtip contacted the rudder of the parked aircraft. I immediately shut down and secured my airplane. The FBO; having observed the incident; helped me separate the two airplanes; took pictures; and had an on-site A&P mechanic visually inspect both airplanes. The inspection revealed light scuffing at the point of contact on both aircraft; but no further damage. Both airplanes were declared airworthy. Following the incident; per FBO procedure; I taxied the aircraft back to parking and secured it for the day. During discussions with the Chief Instructor of the FBO; I learned that the FBO taxi procedures had recently been revised to avoid this area of the ramp due to the narrow confines.In hindsight; I made several poor decisions that led up to the incident. First; I selected a route of taxi with a known choke point; even though a less constrained route was available; simply because I was in the habit of using that particular route. Once a possible conflict was identified; I elected to continue instead of turning around; because I thought there might be still be sufficient room. Finally; after realizing how little room there was; I chose to attempt to squeeze through the area instead of shutting down; because back taxiing by hand would have been a hassle.In the future; I will identify and avoid all taxi choke points prior to starting the engine. If I must taxi through a confined area; I will shut down and make sure there is adequate clearance before proceeding if there are any possible obstructions. If there appears to be less than a foot of clearance on both sides; I will either have the obstacle removed; or if not possible; find someone to help direct me through the confined area.Barring all those options; I will simply back taxi by hand to a turn-around point and either identify a better route of taxi or wait for the obstacles to be cleared.




Synopsis: C172 pilot reported contacting the rudder of another aircraft while attempting to taxi through a tight area.