Date: 201807
Local time of day: 1801-2400
Location: DCA.Airport, DC
Weather elements / visibility: Cloudy
Light: Night
Aircraft: B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight phase: Taxi
ATC / advisory: Ground DCA
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Captain; Pilot Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Human factors: Situational Awareness
Second reporter function: Pilot Not Flying; First Officer
Anomaly: Ground Event / Encounter Vehicle; Ground Incursion Taxiway
Detector: Person Other Person; Person Flight Crew
When detected: Taxi
Result: Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Returned To Gate; General Maintenance Action
Contributing factors: Weather; Human Factors; Environment - Non Weather Related; Chart Or Publication; Procedure; Airport
Primary problem: Ambiguous

Narrative: Flight pushed from Gate at DCA. All preflight checklists; briefings and airport diagrams were discussed and reviewed prior to pushback including the construction on Taxiway P. Taxi instructions were issued by Ground to 19 via K and hold short of Runway 15. While passing the Construction Zone on P the actual marked Work Zone also covered the infield space between P and K with construction vehicles spread throughout the enclosed area. I was taxiing the aircraft between 10 to 15 knots on the taxiway centerline and noticed one vehicle close to the edge of the Construction Zone but within the confines. I decided to give ourselves a little more room and moved the aircraft off the centerline further away from the construction. Once past the area we heard the Construction People call Ground and state the aircraft that just passed had knocked a mirror or something of one of the pieces of equipment. I stopped the aircraft as we determined they meant us and coordinated with Ground to return to the gate. We were issued instructions to return the way we had come but I elected different instructions I knew would keep us well clear of the zone on our return. There were no injuries on the ground or in the aircraft. There were no NOTAMS restricting Taxiway K. The aircraft sustained minor damage to the tip of the right scimitar.


Second narrative: Aircraft was being taxied as instructed from Gate to Runway 19. Instructions were to taxi Kilo; hold short of Runway 15. Night conditions wet and overcast. There was construction on the east side of Taxiway Kilo near Spot 9. Papa was closed from Delta to Charlie with men and equipment working on the closed areas. Captain briefed the taxi route and we proceeded. As we approached the area with the construction I was monitoring the Captain's taxi. He was purposefully to the left of the taxiway painted centerline. I was watching out the side window toward the construction. I was unable to see the wingtip due to condensation on the unheated R3 window.As we approached the construction area the Captain said 'That looks close;' and went further left away from the construction site as there were no obstructions to his left. The aircraft was now left of the taxiway centerline; away from the construction area. As we passed the construction a Construction Worker informed Ground that Company 'hit' the mirror on his vehicle. The Captain stopped the aircraft and I asked Ground for instructions for us to go back to the gate for an inspection. At the gate I inspected the right scimitar and the bottom portion was damaged.


Synopsis: B737 flight crew reported a collision with an airport construction vehicle.