What happened
On October 7, 2005, an L-200A Morava, registration OK-PLG, was conducting monitoring flights from Prague/Točná Airport (LKTC). During the third takeoff of the day, the pilot noticed that the right engine RPM was not reaching the required values. The pilot interpreted this performance deficiency as a malfunction in the propeller pitch control electrical system. Since all other aircraft systems were functioning normally, the pilot continued the flight and landed at Prague/Letňany Airport (LKLT).
Upon landing at LKLT, ground personnel discovered damage to the propeller blades of the right engine. The investigation revealed that prior to takeoff at LKTC, the aircraft had stopped at a refueling area marked by red plastic cones. While taxiing from the refueling point to the takeoff position, the propeller blades of the right engine struck one of these cones.
The investigation
The ÚZPLN investigation established that the pilot was fully qualified and medically fit for the flight. The investigation examined the aircraft's condition, the meteorological situation, and the ground environment at LKTC. The investigators analyzed the damage to the propeller, noting that both blades of the VJ3 410A/19000 propeller were bent beyond allowable limits. The physical evidence at the scene included a red plastic cone that had been knocked over and showed two distinct impact marks from the propeller blades.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was that the pilot overlooked a marking cone during taxiing.
- The pilot did not notice the impact with the object while taxiing.
- The damage to the propeller was consistent with a strike against a plastic cone.
- Meteorological conditions and visibility were sufficient for the task.
- The aircraft's mechanical systems, other than the damaged propeller, were functioning correctly prior to the incident.