What happened
During the preflight inspection, the pilot confirmed that all cowling fasteners were secure. However, following takeoff, the right side of the top cowling lifted upward. In response to the incident, the pilot turned toward an alternative runway to attempt a landing. During this maneuver, the pilot attempted to maintain sufficient airspeed to remain airborne while avoiding further damage to the cowling.
The pilot subsequently lowered one notch of flaps but reported running out of lift. The aircraft landed hard off the intended runway before sliding onto the pavement. Upon impact with the ground, the top cowling separated from the engine compartment. The pilot noted that while the raised cowling created additional drag, it did not obstruct visibility. The pilot also stated that they did not apply full power to compensate for the increased drag caused by the cowling position.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the attachment mechanism of the top cowling, which is secured by two pins and six fasteners. The pins attach to the top cowling and extend through a bushing fixed to the bottom cowling.
Investigators found that the lower half of the right forward side fastener had separated, though it was recovered. Additionally, the wing fastener of the right aft side fastener was found to be separated. The attachment structure for the right cowl pin also separated from the top cowling, but this component was recovered from the accident site. While the right cowl pin and its associated bushing showed signs of wear, an inspection by the IA determined that this wear was normal.