Narrative:

After receipt of my IFR clearance; I was interrupted by a passenger question while I was setting the transponder code. This caused the transponder to be set incorrectly. I failed to notice this error during the remainder of the preflight preparations. During the takeoff roll I looked down and saw the incorrect setting of the transponder and allowed myself to be distracted. I reached down to set the transponder. At that time the airplane veered right. Upon noticing the problem I corrected and completed the takeoff. I made several errors prior to the incident. The problems started with inattention during the preflight. I don't use chocks and I failed to notice that the FBO chocked the nose wheel. After starting and trying to taxi; I realized the problem and had to shut down and remove the chock. In receiving clearance to taxi; the controller spoke so quickly that I had trouble understanding and had to ask for clarification twice. Further; the taxiway intersection signs were different than I am used to which left me confused as to how to complete my taxi clearance; which caused me to ask for clarification a third time. By this time I was a bit rattled and I missed checking the transponder in my final check. Adding insult to injury; when cleared to departure control; I set the correct frequency; but forgot to switch transmitters causing me to report on the tower frequency. This caused the controller to issue corrective instructions. The remainder to the trip went without incident.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: C182 pilot describes circumstances surrounding momentary loss of control during takeoff with an incorrect transponder setting.

Narrative: After receipt of my IFR clearance; I was interrupted by a passenger question while I was setting the transponder code. This caused the transponder to be set incorrectly. I failed to notice this error during the remainder of the preflight preparations. During the takeoff roll I looked down and saw the incorrect setting of the transponder and allowed myself to be distracted. I reached down to set the transponder. At that time the airplane veered right. Upon noticing the problem I corrected and completed the takeoff. I made several errors prior to the incident. The problems started with inattention during the preflight. I don't use chocks and I failed to notice that the FBO chocked the nose wheel. After starting and trying to taxi; I realized the problem and had to shut down and remove the chock. In receiving clearance to taxi; the Controller spoke so quickly that I had trouble understanding and had to ask for clarification twice. Further; the taxiway intersection signs were different than I am used to which left me confused as to how to complete my taxi clearance; which caused me to ask for clarification a third time. By this time I was a bit rattled and I missed checking the transponder in my final check. Adding insult to injury; when cleared to Departure Control; I set the correct frequency; but forgot to switch transmitters causing me to report on the Tower frequency. This caused the Controller to issue corrective instructions. The remainder to the trip went without incident.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.