Incident Overview
On 27 March 2015, at approximately 1100 UTC, a Cessna F172E Skyhawk (registration G-ASNW) was involved in a serious incident at Draycot Aerodrome, Wiltshire. The aircraft was conducting a private flight with a single pilot and no passengers. No injuries were reported. Damage was limited to the propeller and a tow bar.
Sequence of Events
The pilot reported that he performed the pre-flight inspection of the aircraft while it was stored in a barn. After pulling the aircraft out of the barn, he started the engine, taxied approximately 150 yards to the runway, and completed the before-takeoff checks. Two circuits were flown uneventfully.
Later, the pilot was shown pieces of metal found on the grass runway. He identified them as parts of the aircraft's towbar. A subsequent inspection revealed damage to the propeller consistent with having struck the towbar.
Pilot's Assessment
The pilot considered the most likely reason for inadvertently leaving the towbar attached was that he conducted the walkaround inspection inside the barn, and after moving the aircraft outside, he became distracted by another task prior to flight. The pilot's report emphasizes the importance of checking around the aircraft immediately before any flight.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was a Cessna F172E Skyhawk, manufactured in 1964 (serial number 31). It was powered by one Continental Motors Corp O-300-D piston engine. The pilot held a Light Aircraft Pilot’s Licence, was 53 years old, and had a total flying experience of 369 hours, of which 180 were on type. His flying in the previous 90 days was 2 hours, and in the last 28 days, 0 hours.