Incident Details
On October 4, 2017, at approximately 14:00 local time, a pilot was taxiing a Cessna 182T at Gliwice Airport (EPGL) intending to move the aircraft to a different hangar. During the taxi, the nose wheel encountered softened ground. The soft ground slowed the aircraft, causing the nose gear shock absorber to compress. As a result of the ground and shock absorber deflection, the tip of one propeller blade made contact with the ground or with a small hard object kicked up from the grass. No marks were found on the ground. A second blade showed a mark about 10 cm from its tip, likely from a strike by a debris object. The third propeller blade remained undamaged. The incident was reported to the aircraft owner, the insurer, and the representative of the airport operator – the Head of Training of Gliwice Aero Club. No injuries were reported.
Probable Cause
The probable cause of the incident was heavy rainfall on the day preceding the incident, which softened the grass surface of the airport.
Preventive Actions and Recommendations
No preventive actions were taken by the operator. The State Commission for Aircraft Accident Investigation (PKBWL) did not issue any safety recommendations.