What happened
On 22 August 2023, a TECNAM P2006T, registration EI-WST, was performing a multi-engine piston rating training flight at Weston Airport, Co. Dublin. The flight crew consisted of an instructor and a student pilot. During the pre-flight phase, the student was interrupted by urgent personal phone calls, leading the instructor to complete the remaining walkaround inspection tasks alone.
During this period, the instructor moved the aircraft twice using the towbar to avoid helicopter downwash and to seek shelter from light rain. Following these maneuvers, the crew boarded the aircraft, and the student acted as the handling pilot. After receiving taxi clearance and completing takeoff from Runway 25, the student retracted the landing gear. At this moment, the Air Traffic Controller (ATC) notified the crew that the towbar was still attached to the nose gear.
The instructor took control of the aircraft and performed a circuit to land. During the landing roll, the towbar made contact with the runway, causing minor damage to the aircraft's fuselage. There were no injuries to the two occupants.
The investigation
The AAIU investigation examined the sequence of events leading to the oversight. The investigation established that the student's preoccupation with personal matters caused significant distraction during the pre-flight inspection. Furthermore, the instructor's decision to move the aircraft with the towbar attached, combined with the need to seek shelter from rain, led to the failure to remove the equipment.
The investigation also looked into the visibility of the equipment and the cockpit configuration. It was noted that on this specific aircraft type, the towbar is not visible from the cockpit once attached. Additionally, the blue color of the towbar made it difficult for the controller to spot against the dark tarmac of the apron until the aircraft was airborne.
Findings
- The primary cause was a failure to remove the towbar following aircraft movements performed during the pre-flight phase.
- The student pilot was significantly distracted by urgent personal phone calls during the pre-flight inspection.
- The instructor's focus was divided by managing the student's stress, avoiding helicopter downwash, and seeking shelter from rain.
- The cockpit design of the TECNAM P2006T prevents the crew from seeing the nose gear area while seated.
- The low visibility of the blue towbar against the dark apron contributed to the delay in detecting the issue.