Cessna Stationair/Turbo Stationair 6
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 5; Flight Crew Total 2000; Flight Crew Type 1000
Time Pressure; Situational Awareness; Distraction
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport
Human Factors; Environment - Non Weather Related; Procedure
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!
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.