What happened
On September 8, 2018, a Christen A I aircraft, registration HB-KCI, was involved in a collision with an obstacle during taxi operations at the Fricktal Schupfart (LSZI) airfield. After completing refueling and a pre-flight inspection, the pilot started the engine and began taxiing from the parking position toward the holding point for runway 07. Approximately 50 meters into the taxi, the aircraft struck an object, causing a heavy impact against the wing. The pilot immediately brought the aircraft to a halt and shut down the engine.
The investigation
The investigation established that the object struck was an electric wild boar deterrent, consisting of a device mounted on a pole, which had been placed on the airfield to prevent damage caused by wild boars. In recent months, various damages had been caused by wild boals on runways and taxiways. The investigation found that the location of this specific deterrent had been moved frequently without being documented. Furthermore, the pilot and the airfield manager had not been informed of its current position. Notably, a different aircraft of the same type had struck a similar device at a different location just days prior, but while the pilot and ground staff discussed the incident, the airfield manager was not notified.
Findings
- The wild boar protection device was positioned such that the aircraft, having been parked facing the obstacle after refueling, was on a direct path to strike it.
- The lack of communication regarding the updated location of the obstacle meant that neither the pilot nor the airfield management was aware of the hazard.
- Due to the aircraft's configuration, it was nearly impossible to detect the obstacle from the cockpit while taxiing.
- There was no formal handover briefing between the morning and afternoon tug pilots on the day of the event.
- The collision resulted in light damage to the aircraft, specifically to the propeller and the underside of the left wing, and caused one minor injury to a person on the ground.
- The investigation noted that while the placement of the object violated required separation distances for unpaved taxiways, there was no systemic deficit found in the airfield's safety management regarding the established national guidelines.