PA-28 Cherokee/Archer/Dakota/Pillan/Warrior
Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Commercial
Distraction; Time Pressure; Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Object
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; General Maintenance Action
Human Factors
I was flying with two students. We experienced an incident where the tow bar that is used to move the airplane on the ground was left on the nose gear; which made contact with the propeller during taxi to the parking area.  We started the mission [early morning] for a dual cross country.  After landing at Airport ZZZ1; we departed and flew to Airport ZZZ to finish the mission; refuel; 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.  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 release the tow bar and walk around to enter the cockpit to engage the parking brake 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 engaging the parking break.  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.  I fueled the left tank and as I was dragging the hose around the front of the airplane to fuel the right tank; I noticed the tow bar was still in the nose gear.  But I decided to continue the fueling process and would remove the tow bar after fueling.  After fueling the right tank; I dragged the hose around to the left side and asked my students to remove the grounding wire and tow bar.  I then focused on retracting the hose and spent several minutes trying to figure out how to retract the grounding wire.  I failed to check if the tow bar had been removed. During this time I asked my students to start getting ready for the flight.  This is because I decided to re-position the airplane; shutdown; and push into a parking spot for the pre-flight checklist 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 my Student X 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 Y practice pushing the airplane back.  I taxied the airplane and turned right.  We taxied about 30 feet and when I started heavy braking; I heard several knocking noises.  I stopped and pulled the mixture knob to idle and shut the engine down; and electrical switches 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.  After parking the airplane I inspected the damage; and discovered a portion of the propeller and tow bar were missing.  I began looking around the area for damage to the facilities; other airplanes; and the ramp surface; but did not discover any damage.  I started thinking about the regulation of NTSB reporting of a separation of propeller blade.  I believe the incident was caused by several small decisions and one major one; such as 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.  I am going to avoid a recurrence of this event by making sure the tow bar has been removed and placed in the baggage compartment when the tow bar is no longer required.  I will complete the entire pre-flight checklist personally before any operations.  I will utilize the help from my students whenever possible if it will increase the safety of operations rather than detract from it.  I will attempt to identify lack of alertness during all operations; and maintain 100% focus during operations.  If I believe that I am not performing at 100% at any time; I will discontinue the mission regardless of the impact on my flight schools operations.  I will take measures to constantly be asking myself what I should be doing to maintain safety; asking what else I need to be doing other than specified by checklist; and determining if I have completed all of the required tasks for safe operations.  Especially during unfamiliar situations.  I plan to restudy risk management methods and remain current.
A flight instructor with 2 students became distracted and started the engine with the tow bar still attached to the nose landing gear of a Piper Cherokee; causing damage to the propeller.