Date: 201506
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Flight conditions: VMC
Weather elements / visibility: 10
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: Extra 200/300 Series
Operator: Personal
Operating under: Part 91
Flight plan: VFR
Mission: Personal
Flight phase: Takeoff / Launch
Airspace: Class D ZZZ
ATC / advisory: Tower ZZZ
Aircraft component: Headset
Component problem: Malfunctioning; Improperly Operated
Reporter organization: Personal
Reporter function: Single Pilot
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Engineer; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human factors: Situational Awareness; Troubleshooting; Communication Breakdown; Confusion
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Ground Incursion Taxiway; Ground Incursion Runway
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Contributing factors: Aircraft
Primary problem: Aircraft

Narrative: Departure on VFR flight. Prepared aircraft for leg #1 flight. After completing after start checklist; taxied from ramp to A2 hold short position for A. This position is normally used in order to allow control tower to see aircraft calling ground not blocked by hangars. Completed run-up and before takeoff checklist; totaling approximately 10 minutes in order to prepare for departure. Attempted to contact ground control prior to taxi and was unable to establish communications. Observed transmitting icon illuminating on com 1 control panel. Observed no motion or light signals from tower or any other surrounding aircraft or personnel. Attempted to establish communications on tower frequency and unable to establish communication. Observed no signals or tower movement of any other aircraft or airport personnel. Also recognizing transmission icon illumination on control panel. Realizing early local time nature of departure; presumed tower was not yet in operation. Proceeded up to and hold short of runway 1-3. Stopped in position and made additional attempt to contact tower with same results. Next made detailed observation to ensure no other aircraft were in traffic pattern; runway or ground environment. Announced intentions for takeoff and departure using common traffic advisory frequency. Initiated takeoff and departure as per advisory. After departure and initial climb; on course for VFR first leg; attempting to contact approach with no success; determining some sort of radio or accessory malfunction. Determined helmet/headset single point connection defective. This equipment being new application to this aircraft; realizing that single point connection can be connected but not necessarily tight enough to enable electronic connection. After re-establishing communications; proceeding to first airport of intended landing; recognized the possibility that my departure tower may have been in operation. Immediately contacted tower and I was advised that in fact they were in operation. I explained these circumstances to the tower controller. Obviously realizing the potential hazard that I had unwillingly created; I felt that this report would be of value in order to enhance flight operations for myself and others in the pursuit of safety.




Synopsis: An Extra Pilot departed after unsuccessfully attempting to contact Tower and assumed the Tower was not in operation. He later discovered his single point headset jack had not been fully seated and that his departure airport Tower was in operation.