Incident Overview
An operator reported that during the initial climb of an airplane, at approximately 1,500 feet above ground level, the pilot and passengers heard and felt an impact. The upper left engine cowling separated from the aircraft and struck the windshield. The pilot declared an emergency, returned to the departure airport, and landed without further incident.
Postaccident Examination
Following the incident, a postaccident examination revealed traces of blood on the propeller, left wing leading edge, and vertical stabilizer leading edge. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage, which was consistent with impact damage from the separated engine cowling.
Mechanical Status
The operator reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Damage Assessment
The substantial damage to the empennage was attributed to the impact of the separated cowling. The specific extent of damage to other components was not detailed, but the airplane was able to return and land safely.