Incident Overview
On 7 August 1999 at 1135 hours UTC, a Piper PA-23-250 (registration G-KEYS) was being prepared for a private flight at Isle of Man Airport. A baggage trolley, which had been used to assist in loading the aircraft, was inadvertently left in the left nose area. When the pilot started the left engine, the propeller struck the trolley.
Immediate Actions
The pilot immediately shut down the aircraft. The pilot and three passengers exited the aircraft through the normal door. No injuries were reported.
Damage
The left propeller sustained damage: both blades were chipped and distorted.
Pilot Details
The commander held a Commercial Pilot's Licence with an Instrument Rating and was 65 years old. He had accumulated 7,850 total flying hours, of which 3,000 were on type. In the last 90 days he had flown 92 hours, and in the last 28 days, 25 hours.
Contributing Factors
The trolley was not visible from the cockpit, and the pilot had no reason to suspect it was present. The source indicates that the trolley had been used during loading and remained in position before engine start.