What happened
On the evening of October 25, 2003, a pilot prepared to conduct a local flight from Bastia-Dragoman aerodrome in a Robin HR 200-100, registration F-BVYV, accompanied by one passenger. The sequence of events began when the pilot moved the aircraft out of the hangar using a tow bar. After returning the bar to the hangar and completing a pre-flight inspection, the pilot was approached by two additional friends who wished to join the flight. Because the aircraft was a two-seat model, the pilot attempted to switch to a different aircraft, a TB 10, which required moving the HR 200-100 again using the tow bar.
During the pre-flight inspection of the TB 10, the pilot discovered a hydraulic leak on the left brake, leading to the cancellation of the flight in that aircraft. The pilot then decided to proceed with the original flight plan in the Robin HR 200-100. In the rush to reorganize, the crew re-boarded the aircraft quickly. The aircraft took off from runway 34 via the central taxiway at approximately 18:30. Following three circuits, the aircraft landed safely. Approximately twenty minutes after returning to the parking area, the pilot realized the tow bar was missing and notified the aerodrome controller, prompting a search of the maneuvering area.
The investigation
The investigation focused on determining how the tow bar was lost on the airfield. The search operations located the tow bar on the runway, positioned before the central taxiway in the direction of runway 34 departures. This placement confirmed that the Robin HR 200-100 had departed with the tow bar still attached to the aircraft, and that the equipment became detached during one of the takeoff-landing cycles or during the final landing phase.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the failure to remove the tow bar prior to departure.
- The incident was contributed to by a disruption in the planned sequence of actions due to the sudden change in flight plans.
- A sense of haste during the aircraft preparation and implementation phase led to the oversight.