Baron 58/58TC
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 10; Flight Crew Total 3000; Flight Crew Type 2000
Other / Unknown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Other / Unknown
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport
Weather; Procedure; Human Factors
I was checking out aircraft after an extensive annual. The aircraft was located in a T Hangar. I did a thorough preflight inside hangar. After preflight I had to use a power tow bar to pull aircraft out of hangar due to snow and ice. This particular tow bar is not the one I usually use. The one I usually use is battery powered and thus I usually pull out aircraft and immediately remove. The tow bar I used on this day required it to be plugged in with an extension cord to supply power. After pulling aircraft out of hangar I disconnected the extension cord and proceeded to wrap up cord and put a way in hangar. I then closed hangar door. I then climbed in aircraft and started up engines not realizing I forgot to remove the tow bar connected to the front landing gear. Unfortunately; I took off with the tow bar attached. Upon retracting gear nose gear was damage and I returned to the airport with a broken nose wheel. I landed the aircraft with the broken nose wheel which resulted in damage to the propellers and gear door damage. There were no injuries.
BE58 pilot reports using an electric tow bar to move his aircraft from the hangar due to snow and ice on the ramp; but forgets to disconnect it after putting the power cord away. This omission is not detected until the gear is retracted after takeoff.