What happened
On March 26, 2017, at approximately 06:15 UTC, a Tecnam P2002-JR operated by Smart Aviation sp. z o.o. was taxiing for its first flight of the day at EPPO. The aircraft, carrying a student pilot and an instructor, was proceeding from a grass parking area via taxiway DK G and then DK A toward the holding point for runway 2/28.
During the taxi maneuver, the nose wheel entered a small rut caused by rainwater erosion located at the boundary between the grass apron and the asphalt surface of taxiway DK G. The impact caused the nose gear to break, resulting in the propeller making contact with the asphalt surface. The instructor immediately reported the propeller strike to the tower.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the physical state of the taxiway and the environmental conditions at the time of the incident. Investigators examined the damage to the aircraft, which included a destroyed propeller and significant damage to the nose gear, specifically the partial detachment and backward bending of the wheel fork from the strut. The investigation also assessed the engine's condition, noting that a special inspection was required due to the sudden stoppage caused by the propeller strike.
Evidence from the site showed that the taxiway remained operational, but the specific area where the rut was located was susceptible to erosion from rainwater. The investigation also noted that the sun's position behind the aircraft created lighting conditions that made it difficult to identify surface irregularities from the cockpit.