Incident Overview
On 12 September 1998 at 0709 UTC, a Socata TB20 aircraft, registration G-BRIN, was taxiing on the West Grass Parking Area at Guernsey Airport, Channel Islands. During taxi, the aircraft passed over a buried sewage drain which collapsed. The collapse caused the nose of the aircraft to drop, resulting in the propeller contacting the ground. The engine subsequently stopped.
Aircraft and Crew
The aircraft was a Socata TB20, manufactured in 1989, powered by one Lycoming IO-540-C4D5D piston engine. It was on a private flight with two crew members and one passenger on board. The commander held a Basic Commercial Pilot's Licence with an Instructor Rating, was 39 years old, and had accumulated 10,640 flying hours, of which 600 were on type. The commander's most recent 90-day and 28-day flying experience was 183 and 43 hours, respectively. No injuries were reported among the crew or passenger.
Damage and Aftermath
The collision with the ground caused substantial damage to the propeller and possible engine shock loading. The aircraft was not damaged in any other respect. Information for this report was provided by the pilot via an Aircraft Accident Report Form.