Small Aircraft
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 30; Flight Crew Total 300; Flight Crew Type 120
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Situational Awareness
Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors; Procedure
I was holding short of the runway and heard a radio call that a small aircraft was on a 2 mile final straight in. I thought I heard Runway 31; and I was holding short on 31 and had no visual sight of the small aircraft. I heard him call again a 1 mile final; and I still had no visual sight. I looked up and down the runway both ways made sure we were clear and felt I had plenty of time to takeoff before he came into land. As I took off on Runway 31 I saw him inbound on Runway 13. Immediately I turned right and got out of his way.Reflecting on it; I should not have taken the runway. Even though I could not see a plane in either direction; knowing there was a plane on final I should've held short and waited for him to land. I haven't had a chance to review the recording; if possible; so even though I heard Runway 31; and I knew that I had plenty of time to takeoff based on the visual site to final; it may have been confirmation bias. The pilot may have said 13; and I heard 31. Regardless; I will never again take the runway when someone is on final.
A pilot departing O61 non-towered airport reported they observed an arriving aircraft head on to them as they were taking off and had to turn to avoid them. The reporter thought they heard the aircraft report inbound to the opposite direction runway they departed from.