SR20
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 200; Flight Crew Total 14000; Flight Crew Type 50
Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Object
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged
Human Factors
Accomplished pre-flight walk around inspection in hangar. Then pulled aircraft out onto ramp with a tow bar. I did not remove the towbar; as my intention was to do it after going to restroom. Upon returning to aircraft; I did not remember to remove [it]; nor did I see the towbar; as I got in the aircraft from the aft. Engine start; taxi; and takeoff appeared normal. About 20 feet AGL; I heard a loud metallic sound from under the aircraft (the towbar separating from the nose wheel). About the same time; a pilot in the FBO called on CTAF; and stated that I had taken off with the towbar attached. I entered the traffic pattern; and coordinated with the FBO to visually look at my nose gear as I did a low approach. They stated that it appeared normal. I then accomplished a full stop; taxied clear of the runway and shutdown. The only apparent damage was some cosmetic damage to the nose wheel pant. I then started again; and taxied to hangar. Upon further investigation; the tips of the propeller had struck the tow bar; and were ground down a bit. I retrieved the towbar from the FBO that had picked it up. What caused this was inattention to detail. I do thorough pre-flights; however; I should have never made the [conscious] decision to leave the towbar attached; with the idea that I would get it when I got back to the aircraft. That is just setting yourself up to forget. I should have done another walk around the entire aircraft after returning.
SR-20 pilot reported some minor damage resulted when he took off with the tow bar still attached.