A C172 PLT FAILED TO REMOVE THE ACFT'S TOW BAR PRIOR TO FLT. SUBSEQUENTLY THE BAR FELL OFF UPON LNDG AT HIS DEST.

Narrative

UPON COMPLETION OF A FLT; AT LNDG I HEARD AN UNUSUAL 'CLANK' SOUND FROM THE NOSE TIRE AREA OF THE AIRPLANE. I THOUGHT IT WAS STRANGE; ESPECIALLY SINCE IT WAS A NORMAL SOFT LNDG. THE NOSE TIRE; STRUT; AND STEERING SEEMED OK; SO I TAXIED TO THE HANGAR. I CHKED THE BAGGAGE AREA FOR THE TOW BAR BUT IT WAS MISSING. I REALIZED THEN THAT I HAD TO HAVE LEFT IT ATTACHED TO THE NOSE TIRE WHEN I REFUELED THE AIRPLANE AT THE DEP ARPT. EVEN THOUGH I USED THE CHKLIST; WHICH HAS TOW BAR REMOVAL LISTED; I FAILED TO REMEMBER THAT I HAD IT ON THE NOSE TIRE. I TAXIED; TOOK OFF; FLEW FOR HRS; AND LANDED BEFORE IT DEPARTED OUR AIRPLANE. I NOTIFIED THE TWR ATC CTLR TO CHK THE RWY FOR DEBRIS SO NO OTHER ACFT WOULD BE DAMAGED. A SHORT TIME LATER I WAS GIVEN A MANGLED METAL TOW BAR WHICH WAS FOUND ON THE RWY. I WILL NO LONGER LEAVE A TOW BAR ATTACHED TO OUR ACFT UNLESS IT IS ACTIVELY IN USE. IF FOR ANY REASON I NEED TO LEAVE THE TOW BAR AREA (TO FUEL; LOAD CARGO; PAY FOR GAS; OR HIT THE RESTROOM); I NOW REMOVE IT! I NOW KNOW HOW EASY IT IS TO FORGET IT IS STILL HOOKED UP EVEN WHEN USING A CHKLIST. ADDITIONALLY; THIS INCIDENT HAS ONCE AGAIN INSTILLED IN ME THE IMPORTANCE OF CHKLIST DISCIPLINE AND HOW EASY IT CAN BE TO MISS IMPORTANT DETAILS VITAL TO SAFETY OF FLT.