PA-28 Cherokee/Archer/Dakota/Pillan/Warrior
Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 100; Flight Crew Total 300; Flight Crew Type 100
Fatigue; Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Object
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors
I was flying with two students. We started the mission for a dual cross country with [Student X] initially and we flew to Airport ZZZ1. After landing at ZZZ1; we departed and flew north to Airport ZZZ to finish the mission; re fuel; and switch pilots. After landing at ZZZ we taxied to the ramp. I started thinking about the fueling procedure that had been demonstrated during standardization. I took over the controls as we neared the fueling station. I taxied past the station and had my student complete the shutdown checklist. After the shutdown and post flight inspection; I removed the tow bar from the baggage compartment and closed the baggage door. I positioned the tow bar pins into the nose gear and told my students that they were now allowed to walk to the restroom facility; after remembering [Student Y] indicated that he needed the restroom in flight. I pushed the airplane back toward the fuel dispenser. Once the airplane was in position; I realized that there was a downward slope toward the fuel pump that was causing the airplane to slowly roll backward on its own when I released pressure from the tow bar. I decided to wait for my students to return to help me; but I became impatient and made the decision to continue by myself. I pulled the airplane about 10 to 15 feet away from the pump; and I decided I would drop the tow bar and walk around to enter the cockpit to engage the parking break before the airplane started to move backward on its own. After determining that I could walk around the wing and engage the parking brake without the airplane moving; I did this. I think this is the main decision that lead to the incident; because I did not remove the tow bar and place it into the baggage compartment like I have in the routine of my previous flights. I left the tow bar in place so that I could be sure to have enough time to engage the parking break before a gust of wind moved the airplane. I engaged the parking brake and exited the airplane. I started thinking about the fueling process at ZZZ because this was the first time I would refuel at ZZZ by myself. I completely forgot that I had not removed the tow bar after moving the airplane and walked past it. I then focused on the fueling process; attached the ground wire and paid for the fuel. My students returned and watched as I was pulling the fuel hose out for fueling. After fueling both tanks I retracted the hose and ground wire; and retrieved the receipt. I decided to reposition the airplane; shutdown; and push into a parking spot for the preflight checklists so that someone else could use the pump; although no one was waiting for us to move. I asked my students to enter the airplane and put their headsets and seatbelts on. I entered the airplane and as [Student Y] was completing the briefing; I put my seatbelt and headset on. After the engine was started; I took the controls to make sure we would safely taxi away from the fueling area; and I planned to turn right toward the parking spots and shutdown; and have [Student X] practice pushing the airplane back. I taxied the airplane and turned right. We taxied about 30 feet and were next to the first parking spot when I heard several knocking noises; I stopped and pulled the mixture knob to idle and shut the engine down. I was thinking I forgot to remove the grounding wire as I turned everything off. When I exited the airplane; I discovered that the tow bar caused the noise as the propeller made contact with the tow bar. I called dispatch for instructions and they told me to park the airplane in a spot and tie it down.I believe the incident was caused by several small decisions and one major one; such as deciding to fly the mission while feeling slightly tired and fatigued. A normal amount at the end of a work week. And allowing the students to go to the restroom when I actually needed their help in the unfamiliar situation. Also deciding to continue to complete the process after realizing I needed help. The major decision that lead to the incident was not completing the preflight at the fueling station; and deciding to taxi away without completing at least a walk around.
PA28 Instructor reports using the tow bar to position his aircraft at the fuel pump then forgetting to remove it before attempting to taxi. The propeller strikes the tow bar during taxi and the aircraft is shut down.