Skylane 182/RG Turbo Skylane/RG
Flight Crew Private; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 27; Flight Crew Total 3095; Flight Crew Type 1899
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Ground Event / Encounter Gear Up Landing
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged
Human Factors
This was a nose wheel up landing. [At an enroute stop] I used the tow bar to park the plane and did a quick ground check while awaiting TFR cancellation. I used the rest room and upon cancellation; I started the engine and taxied for takeoff on the short 20 nm flight. No indication of problem and I remember the gear up light lit. I contacted Tower and was issued a straight in. Upon clearance to land I lowered the landing gear but no green light. I [notified Tower of the] issue and was advised to make a low pass to check gear down. The mains were down but the nose wheel was not.I went around about 3 more times; cycling the gear and working with the Tower. The results were the same. Deciding not to make a bad situation worse; I departed the immediate pattern under Tower control to try some sharp maneuvers to get the nose gear down. After another low approach with the nose gear still not down; I [tried for] a landing attempt. The Tower had the crash vehicle on site and I was cleared for the approach. I landed with 40 Flaps; 60kts and gear down. I stopped the engine and cut off the electrical but with time short I never got to the gas (better to land under control than be reaching and looking down at the last minute). Landed centerline; held nose off until very slow and slid 15-20 feet. No fuel; no fire; no injury; minimal aircraft damage.After landing; discovered that the tow bar was lodged in the nose wheel well. Upon raising the nose with a hydraulic lift; I helped dislodge the tow bar and the nose gear deployed. I then put the electric power on; the green gear down light illuminated and I taxied the aircraft to the repair facility.
C182RG pilot reported landing with nose gear up due to the towbar not being removed before takeoff.