Champion Citabria 7ECA
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Commercial
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 47; Flight Crew Total 7524; Flight Crew Type 180
Situational Awareness
Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR
Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors
I was enroute to 40I at 3;000 feet. My route; as drawn on the chart; showed me going through a small corner of R3403B. Upon reaching a point just south of OVO I called Indianapolis Center (the controlling agency) to determine if 3403B was in use. Center was very busy and misinterpreted my request to be about a closer area; R3401. (Note that my Champ has an electrical system; radio and transponder.) When Indy Center responded with the incorrect information I immediately corrected them and asked for information about 3403. They were very busy and did not respond. I then switched to Cincinnati Approach and asked them if R3403B was in use. They responded right away and told me that 3403 was indeed 'hot'. I thanked them and immediately turned north to avoid going into the restricted area. After going north several NM and believing I was clear of the restricted area I resumed my on-course heading of about 70 degrees and proceeded to 40I (Red Stewart Field).Upon landing at 40I the person behind the counter told me I needed to call Columbus (Ohio) Approach Control. I did so right away and learned from a Mr. X that his facility had received a hand-off 'tag' from Cincinnati Approach; and he was requested by Cincinnati to get my name; address & phone number; which I provided. He told me it was in reference to a possible restricted area violation; but had no other information.On this particular flight I was using the situation of a route of flight going through a restricted area to refresh my airplane partner's memory (he was in the back seat of the plane) about the proper way to deal with restricted areas. I believe that I did everything right. I knew the restricted area was there; that my straight-line course would take me into it; and that I had to either go around or determine that it was not in use; in which case I could fly through it. I made the full effort; calling two ATC facilities; and then turned away from the area after learning that it was hot.So what went wrong? I was several NM north of the railroad that runs through 3403B when I resumed my on-course heading of 070. I believed I was clear of the restricted area on the north side. I suppose it's possible that I turned back on course a little too soon and just barely touched 3403B on the way by. I certainly didn't think so when I was flying it. In the future I will give restricted areas a much wider berth. In fact; on the way back home later in the day (after my conversation with Columbus Approach) my partner; who was flying the return leg; stayed about 5 NM to the north. I complimented him on his good judgment and told him I would be teaching that to my students in the future.
Citabria pilot reports inadvertently entering R3403B while making his best attempt to avoid the northwest corner.