Date: 201508
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: 11II.Airport, IN
Flight conditions: VMC
Weather elements / visibility: 10
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: Small Aircraft; High Wing; 1 Eng; Fixed Gear
Operator: Personal
Operating under: Part 91
Flight plan: None
Mission: Personal
Flight phase: Cruise
Airspace: Special Use R-3401
ATC / advisory: Tower BAK
Reporter organization: Personal
Reporter function: Pilot Flying; Single Pilot
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Rotorcraft; Flight Crew Instrument
Human factors: Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
Anomaly: ATC Issue All Types; Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Detector: Person Air Traffic Control
When detected: In-flight
Contributing factors: Procedure; Airspace Structure; Human Factors
Primary problem: Procedure

Narrative: VFR flight approaching Columbus from the east. Called BAK Tower requesting permission to transition BAK Class D airspace flying from east to west. Request was granted and I was asked to report when clear of class D. I reported clear to [tower] about 6.5 miles west of BAK. BAK responded with a change of frequency was approved.I realized that I was in R-3401A restricted airspace. Embarrassed and anxious; I tuned in to both Himsel AAF control tower frequency and AWOS-3 on the second radio as I looked all around. There was no radio chatter; no aircraft were visible in the air nor on the ground under me. I dropped to about 2;000 feet and continued looking about without seeing any activity. I decided to climb back up toward 3;000 feet where I had been when last talking with BAK and continue a course directly straight ahead so as to cause the least confusion until I exited R-3401 airspace to the west.Called Monroe County Tower and requested transition of BMG Class D airspace from east to west at 3;000 feet. Request was granted and later the Tower Controller asked that I contact him on cellphone either in air or after landing. I told him I'd call from [destination airport]. He apparently called ahead and got an individual who wrote down a phone number passed the number to me after I landed at [my destination].I then called that controller who informed me that my flight was recorded flying through R-3401 and data would be reviewed by someone at Indianapolis Center in the next couple of days.I had not called ATC prior to blundering into R-3401A. At this point; I am very grateful for my safety and presently am still embarrassed.I do wonder why the BAK Tower Controller said nothing to me about my flying into the restricted area to the west of his Class D airspace. Of course; that would have been helpful and would have avoided the incursion. Of course; it is the pilot's duty to have called Indianapolis Center prior to considering entering restricted airspace. I did not know whether R-3401 was hot or cold prior to entering the restricted airspace. I did not make the call and have no excuse.I will review information related to airspace issues and will do remedial training this week. I am determined this will not happen again on my watch.




Synopsis: Pilot reported requesting approval to fly through the Class Delta; which he is granted. Pilot was told to report clear of Delta. 6.5 miles west of the tower the pilot reports clear of the Delta. Controller gave pilot a frequency change. Pilot then realized they are within the confines of a restricted area. Controller is later told by another facility that he needed to call the center for a possible airspace deviation. Pilot wonders why controller let him do what he did without warning him.