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The pilot of a C206 re-engaged the tow bar after preflight inspection had been completed in order to reposition the aircraft. The pilot neglected to remove the tow bar and took off. A ground observer notified the pilot of the condition. The pilot was able to successfully land with no damage to the aircraft.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1304231 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201510 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1201-1800 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.Airport |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Light | Daylight |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Cessna Stationair/Turbo Stationair 6 |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 91 |
| Flight Phase | Takeoff |
| Route In Use | None |
| Flight Plan | None |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Nose Gear |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Pilot Flying Captain Single Pilot |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Private |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 5 Flight Crew Total 2000 Flight Crew Type 1000 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy |
Narrative:
I had just completed an annual inspection of my aircraft and was preparing for a post annual test flight. I completed a preflight inspection in my hangar; installed a towbar; and located the aircraft on the taxiway. After the aircraft was positioned I removed the bar and returned it to my hangar and returned to the aircraft to complete the preflight. Upon return; I noticed a small patch of sand directly below the prop. Not wanting to sand blast my prop; I retrieved the towbar from the hangar; and attempted to move the aircraft. I was not able to relocate the aircraft using the bar and resorted to a push on the left strut which is adjacent to the pilot's door. Without thinking; I got in the plane; buckled the seat belt; started the engine; proceeded to the runway; completed an engine run up and launched with the bar in place. During climb; I received a radio call from unicom alerting me to the situation. I then remained in the pattern and returned to runway 15 where I was able to make a slow; nose high landing. I was extremely lucky and fortunate to survive the incident with no damage to anything except my pride. I blame this event on rushing and a change in my normal routine of preflight; i.e. Position the plane and stow the bar. In this event; one additional walk around would have prevented the issue. I plan to never let this happen again!
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: The pilot of a C206 re-engaged the tow bar after preflight inspection had been completed in order to reposition the aircraft. The pilot neglected to remove the tow bar and took off. A ground observer notified the pilot of the condition. The pilot was able to successfully land with no damage to the aircraft.
Narrative: I had just completed an annual inspection of my aircraft and was preparing for a post annual test flight. I completed a preflight inspection in my hangar; installed a towbar; and located the aircraft on the taxiway. After the aircraft was positioned I removed the bar and returned it to my hangar and returned to the aircraft to complete the preflight. Upon return; I noticed a small patch of sand directly below the prop. Not wanting to sand blast my prop; I retrieved the towbar from the hangar; and attempted to move the aircraft. I was not able to relocate the aircraft using the bar and resorted to a push on the left strut which is adjacent to the pilot's door. Without thinking; I got in the plane; buckled the seat belt; started the engine; proceeded to the runway; completed an engine run up and launched with the bar in place. During climb; I received a radio call from unicom alerting me to the situation. I then remained in the pattern and returned to runway 15 where I was able to make a slow; nose high landing. I was extremely lucky and fortunate to survive the incident with NO DAMAGE to anything except my pride. I blame this event on rushing and a change in my normal routine of preflight; i.e. position the plane and stow the bar. In this event; one additional walk around would have prevented the issue. I plan to never let this happen again!
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.