Narrative:

Took off from airport for pattern work and was notified by the tower that the FBO had noticed that tow bar was still attached to the nose wheel at rotation. Notification occurred at midfield downwind on first pattern. Completed pattern and landed after being cleared by the tower without incident. At no time during the taxi; takeoff; flight; or landing was there any sound or other indication of the tow bar striking the plane or propeller. Shut down aircraft after taxiing off the active runway; removed tow bar; and inspected aircraft for damage. Aircraft; including propeller; showed no signs of damage. Ramp at hangar was icy and snowy and spent an inordinate amount of time maneuvering the aircraft out of the hangar by myself. I usually remove the tow bar immediately after maneuvering the aircraft out of the hangar; but this time I didn't because I wasn't sure the aircraft was completely clear of the hangar doors. Because the ground area near the nose of the aircraft was icy and snow covered; I did the last bit of maneuvering by pushing the aircraft by the wing struts into the final position. Because my last point of contact was the wing struts; and not the tow bar; I continued my preflight with the shutting of the hangar door and entry into the aircraft -- forgetting to remove the tow bar in the process. I suppose because the weather was cold and ramp icy; I forgot my usual customary final walk around to check the plane before departing. In the future; I will certainly remember to never omit that final walk-around before stepping into the aircraft for startup; even if the weather and ramp conditions make it difficult.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A C172 pilot took off with the tow bar attached; and was notified by the Tower. He returned for a safe landing with no damage.

Narrative: Took off from airport for pattern work and was notified by the Tower that the FBO had noticed that tow bar was still attached to the nose wheel at rotation. Notification occurred at midfield downwind on first pattern. Completed pattern and landed after being cleared by the Tower without incident. At no time during the taxi; takeoff; flight; or landing was there any sound or other indication of the tow bar striking the plane or propeller. Shut down aircraft after taxiing off the active runway; removed tow bar; and inspected aircraft for damage. Aircraft; including propeller; showed no signs of damage. Ramp at hangar was icy and snowy and spent an inordinate amount of time maneuvering the aircraft out of the hangar by myself. I usually remove the tow bar immediately after maneuvering the aircraft out of the hangar; but this time I didn't because I wasn't sure the aircraft was completely clear of the hangar doors. Because the ground area near the nose of the aircraft was icy and snow covered; I did the last bit of maneuvering by pushing the aircraft by the wing struts into the final position. Because my last point of contact was the wing struts; and not the tow bar; I continued my preflight with the shutting of the hangar door and entry into the aircraft -- forgetting to remove the tow bar in the process. I suppose because the weather was cold and ramp icy; I forgot my usual customary final walk around to check the plane before departing. In the future; I will certainly remember to never omit that final walk-around before stepping into the aircraft for startup; even if the weather and ramp conditions make it difficult.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.