Piper PA32R N3445Q accident near Kimberling City, Missouri

Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in his inadvertent departure with the tow bar connected to the nose wheel, and the low approach while returning to the airport, which allowed the tow bar to contact trees.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that he moved the airplane out of the hangar using a tow bar and his personal vehicle. The pilot added that he did not remove the tow bar from the airplane. The pilot and passenger then departed on a cross-country flight. Witnesses at the airport notified the pilot by radio that the tow bar was still attached. The plot then entered the traffic pattern to land at the airport. During the approach the tow bar, which was hanging from the airplane’s nose wheel, impacted and got entangled in trees. The airplane then impacted ground objects and terrain. A post-crash fire ensued and destroyed the airplane. The pilot added that he did not know why he got so low on the approach to the airport.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN21LA014 for the full record.