What happened
On June 8, 2008, a Cirrus SR22, registration OK-OKO, operated by Alpin Praha divize speciálních prací s.r.o, was involved in an incident at Hořovice Airport. During the pre-flight inspection, the pilot was interrupted by a telephone call, which led to an incomplete inspection of the aircraft. After starting the engine and beginning the takeoff roll, the pilot heard an unusual noise originating from the nose gear area.
The pilot requested a visual inspection of the nose gear from the AFIS controller, who reported no visible issues. The pilot completed the circuit and landed back at the airport. Upon post-flight inspection, the pilot discovered significant damage to the propeller blades. The investigation established that the aircraft had been moved from the hangar using a handling tow bar, which the pilot had neglected to remove before takeoff.
The investigation
The ÚZPLN investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the propeller damage and the condition of the aircraft. The investigation confirmed that the pilot was properly qualified and held a valid medical certificate. The aircraft's airworthiness certificate was also valid.
Investigators examined the damage to the propeller, noting that material had been lost from blades 1 and 2, and a deep notch was present on blade 3. The damage exceeded the manufacturer's allowable limits. The investigation also recovered fragments of the handling tow bar on the runway, which had been severed from the nose gear due to the impact with the propeller blades. The investigation confirmed that the pilot had failed to complete the pre-flight procedures as required by the Cirrus SR22 Operating Manual.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the contact between the propeller and the handling tow bar during the takeoff roll.
- The pilot failed to remove the tow bar because the pre-flight inspection was interrupted and left incomplete.
- The handling tow bar, which featured a "REMOVE BEFORE FLIGHT" warning, was left attached to the nose gear.
- The impact caused the tow bar to break apart, leaving only the attachment portion behind, while the remaining parts were lost.