What happened
On 11 June 2021, a Cessna C152, registration ZS-PLU, was preparing for a private flight from Kagga Kamma private airstrip in the Western Cape. The flight was intended to proceed to Robertson Airfield under Visual Flight Rules. While the pilot was taxiing toward the holding point for Runway 36, the aircraft's propeller made contact with a large stone. This stone had been positioned in the parking area to serve as an aircraft chock. Following the impact, the pilot shut down the engine and moved the aircraft back to its parking bay. There were 0 fatalities and 0 injuries resulting from the incident, though the propeller sustained minor damage.
The investigation
The investigation, conducted by the SACAA AIID, established that the aircraft was being operated under a private flight permit (Part 91) without a filed flight plan. The inquiry focused on the sequence of events leading to the propeller strike during the taxi phase. The investigation relied on information provided by the pilot and the involved parties to reconstruct the event.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was that the pilot failed to remove a large stone used as a chock before beginning the taxi maneuver.
- The stone was left in a position where it could be struck by the propeller arc during movement.
Safety action
To prevent similar occurrences, the following safety messages were issued:
- Pilots should perform comprehensive pre-flight inspections to ensure the area surrounding the aircraft is free of obstacles.
- Aircraft owners and operators are urged to use manufacturer-approved equipment for securing aircraft rather than improvised objects like stones.
- It is essential to verify that all chocks and securing devices have been removed prior to the commencement of flight operations.