Factual Information
On 22 September 2003 at 10:18 UTC, a Piper PA-44-180T, registration OK-MAT, was taxiing at Hořovice Airport (LKHV) in the Czech Republic. The aircraft was preparing for departure from runway 07. During taxi across a grassy strip between the asphalt taxiway and the runway, the aircraft entered a depression in the grass and the left propeller contacted the ground, resulting in minor damage to the propeller. The flight was a sport/recreational flight. There were no injuries to the pilot or the other occupant. The pilot, aged 42, held a valid commercial pilot license with MEP land/IR rating and a valid medical certificate. The aircraft had a valid certificate of airworthiness, and its weight and balance were not factors. Weather at the time included surface wind from 090° to 160° at 5–12 knots, visibility over 10 km, and nearly clear skies. The airport was not in operation and had no AFIS service. No flight recorders were installed. The manner in which the taxi was conducted did not comply with the airport's operating regulations.
Analysis
The investigation determined that the pilot had appropriate qualifications and a valid medical certificate. Weather did not contribute to the incident. The aircraft was airworthy. The main cause was identified as the pilot's failure to follow the prescribed taxi procedures specified in the Hořovice Airport Operating Regulations.
Conclusions
The pilot violated the Hořovice Airport Operating Regulations by not adhering to the prescribed method of taxiing from the starting point to the takeoff position.
Probable Cause
The main cause of the incident was non-compliance with the Hořovice Airport Operating Regulations during taxiing. The immediate cause was the aircraft's propeller contacting a terrain irregularity.