What happened
On 4 April 2004, a Cessna 152, registration G-BOFM, was involved in an accident during a training flight at Coventry Airport. Following engine start, the pilot taxied the aircraft from the Aero Club toward the active runway. To maintain a safe distance from a helicopter parked near the taxiway, the pilot elected to taxi across the grass area located in front of the club.
During this maneuver, the nose and port wheels of the aircraft descended into a depression in the turf. This caused the propeller to strike the ground, resulting in a shock load to the engine and damage to the right wing tip. There were no warning signs or marker boards present to alert the pilot to the uneven ground.
The investigation
Investigators determined that the furrow in the grass had been created earlier in the year by the movement of a heavy truck during airfield works. Although the depression remained, subsequent grass growth had obscured the feature, making it invisible to the pilot during the taxi.
Regarding airfield maintenance, the investigation found that while the airport authority performs regular inspections of movement areas, they considered the grass area in front of the Aero Club to be the responsibility of the club itself. There were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger during the event.
Findings
- The primary cause of the propeller strike was the unmarked furrow in the grass caused by previous heavy vehicle movements.
- The depression was obscured by overgrown grass, preventing detection by the pilot.
- There was a lack of clear agreement or coordination between the airport authority and the Aero Club regarding the inspection and maintenance of the grass taxi area.