What happened
On August 7, 2020, at approximately 12:05, an Aviat Husky, registration SP-TIR, was involved in a ground incident at Elbląg airport (EPEL). The aircraft was taxiing toward runway 10 in preparation for a scheduled flight to Warsaw (EPBC). During the taxi maneuver, the aircraft's propeller struck a flag marking the taxiway.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the contact between the propeller and the taxiway marker. The investigation reviewed the circumstances of the taxiing maneuver and the visibility conditions present at the time of the incident.
Findings
The investigation established that the primary cause of the incident was inadequate attention during taxiing. The propeller damage occurred because the pilot failed to maintain sufficient clearance from the taxiway marker.
Safety action
Following the incident, the pilot participated in a debriefing regarding the event. The discussion emphasized the necessity of increased vigilance during taxiing operations. Particular attention was drawn to the operational characteristics of aircraft like the Aviat Husky, which utilize a taildragger configuration. The high positioning of the engine cowling on such aircraft can significantly obstruct the pilot's forward view, necessitating more careful observation of ground markings and obstacles.