A Memory Lapse and an Assumption

During the takeoff roll, the pilots of the Fairchild SA227 Metroliner noticed the unusually slow increase in airspeed. Because they were uncertain whether there was enough runway remaining to safely stop, they continued the takeoff, then realized that the covers were still on the pitot tubes. They returned to land safely at Townsville, Queensland, Australia, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) said.

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