What happened
On September 13, 2003, at approximately 14:50 UTC, a ground incident occurred at Kolín airfield involving an AN-2 aircraft and a TL 2মানিক 232 Condor, registration OK-CUU 15.
Following a landing at the airfield, the pilot of the AN-2 began taxiing toward a hangar area to park and secure the aircraft. The taxiing process was being monitored by airport personnel. At the start of the maneuver, the area in front of the hangars was clear. However, during the taxiing sequence, an ultralight aircraft (the TL 232 Condor) was being moved from inside a hangar to a position on the apron behind the path of the AN-2.
As the AN-2 reached its final parking position, the pilot increased engine power. The resulting propeller blast struck the positioned ultralight aircraft, causing it to be flipped forward onto the propeller and wing. The incident resulted in no injuries.
The investigation
The ÚZPLN investigation, conducted in cooperation with the Czech Police, established that the movement of the AN-2 was being supervised by two individuals. Witnesses noted that the space between the hangars was unobstructed when the taxiing began, but the ultralight aircraft was moved into the danger zone behind the AN-2 while the larger aircraft was still in motion.
Physical inspection of the TL 232 Condor revealed damage to the nose gear, the propeller, and the wingtip arc. The estimated cost of the damage was approximately 80,000 CZK.
Findings
- The improper positioning of the ultralight aircraft directly behind the path of the taxiing AN-2 was the primary cause of the accident.
- A contributing factor was insufficient coordination between the personnel supervising the AN-2 taxiing and the ground staff moving the ultralight aircraft onto the apron.