Incident Overview
On 7 August 2020 at 12:05 local time, an Aviat Husky aircraft, registration SP-TIR, was taxiing to runway 10 at Elbląg Airport (EPEL) for a flight to Warsaw (EPBC). During the taxi, the propeller struck a marker flag that was indicating the taxiway, resulting in damage to the propeller.
Investigation Findings
The Polish State Commission on Aircraft Accident Investigation reviewed the final report submitted by the aircraft operator. The investigation determined that the event occurred during the taxi phase and involved a collision with a ground marking object.
Cause
The commission stated that the cause of the incident was poor distribution of attention during taxi. No other causal factors were identified.
Safety Actions
The operator conducted a debriefing with the pilot, emphasizing the need for heightened vigilance during taxi, particularly on aircraft like the Aviat Husky, which has a tailwheel configuration and a high engine cowling that can obstruct forward visibility.