Cessna Stationair/Turbo Stationair 6
Flight Crew Private; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 8; Flight Crew Total 1011; Flight Crew Type 180
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Conflict NMAC
Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors
As I was taxiing out for takeoff; monitoring CTAF on #2 radio at least three other planes were on ground; and we communicated our taxi positions and made way for each other. The field is heavily used for primary training. I arrived at the run up area for runway XX and called for IFR clearance on the #1 radio on 121.72. Receiving no response from ATC; I switched to CTAF 123.0 on #1 radio; announced my departure; glanced up at the arrival pathway for runway XX; and seeing and hearing no traffic; proceeded to take the runway and accelerate. About the time my wheels left the ground; I saw a DA 20 above me and to the right at 1 o'clock; about 500 feet above and 500 ft to the right of the runway. I realized I had taken the runway as another pilot was landing. I did not hear anything on #1 radio so I switched back to #2 radio CTAF as I continued the climb. I made a radio call and received two or three responses from other pilots. The aircraft landing took a turn to the right away from me and I continued climbing straight ahead. I apologized for not yielding right of way to the landing aircraft and he graciously acknowledged seeing me and avoiding me; and did a go-around. He acknowledged 'it happens' and expressed no hard feelings. After reaching safe altitude I tried to diagnose the #1 radio failure by pressing the radio into the panel to seat it securely; adjusting volume and squelch; and selecting overhead speaker; and #1 radio began to work normally again. I am not sure why it did not work on initial transmission; but I suspect the radio volume and/or my headset volume was too low. After climbing higher; I reached ATC and activated an IFR flight plan. Corrective actions include: verifying radios are receiving and transmitting prior to taking the runway; perform better visual scans; especially when looking into bright sunshine; and be yield to landing aircraft.
Cessna 206 pilot reported an NMAC departing when he had the volume set too low for CTAF communications.