The pilot of a piper PA32 landed for fuel; and as a precaution removed the engine cowling to inspect...

Narrative:

I landed for fuel; and as a precautionary measure to inspect the engine due to a solitary sound I heard in flight. While all engine indicators and monitors were in the green; I elected the cautious safe action. I removed the cowling with assistance; and replaced it after my inspection showed no abnormalities. After fueling; I preflighted the plane and proceeded to takeoff. Immediately on rotation; the right side of the cowling dislodged; remaining attached to the fuselage by the aft and left connections. My airspeed and altitude dictated insufficient runway remaining to land. I executed a series of turns to establish an approach to the runway; and executed a landing without difficulty. Determining that the cowling sustained damage in the forms of cracks in the fiberglass where it was displaced; I elected no further flight; hangared the plane and took the cowling for repair. Reflecting on the above events; I realize I missed the right two latches not being engaged in my preflight; causing the event. Contributing factors included distraction from my routine by others wishing to assist me. Future corrections will include completing my preflight in a sterile environment cleared of distractions.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: The pilot of a Piper PA32 landed for fuel; and as a precaution removed the engine cowling to inspect the engine. Others assisted him in re-installing the cowling; but not having been latched properly; came loose just after takeoff and sustained damage; but did not depart the aircraft. The pilot immediately returned to land; and grounded the aircraft to await the necessary repairs.

Narrative: I landed for fuel; and as a precautionary measure to inspect the engine due to a solitary sound I heard in flight. While all engine indicators and monitors were in the green; I elected the cautious safe action. I removed the cowling with assistance; and replaced it after my inspection showed no abnormalities. After fueling; I preflighted the plane and proceeded to takeoff. Immediately on rotation; the right side of the cowling dislodged; remaining attached to the fuselage by the aft and left connections. My airspeed and altitude dictated insufficient runway remaining to land. I executed a series of turns to establish an approach to the runway; and executed a landing without difficulty. Determining that the cowling sustained damage in the forms of cracks in the fiberglass where it was displaced; I elected no further flight; hangared the plane and took the cowling for repair. Reflecting on the above events; I realize I missed the right two latches not being engaged in my preflight; causing the event. Contributing factors included distraction from my routine by others wishing to assist me. Future corrections will include completing my preflight in a sterile environment cleared of distractions.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Attributes
ACN	1097537
Time
Date	201306
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	PA-32 Cherokee Six/Lance/Saratoga/6X
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Takeoff
Route In Use	None
Flight Plan	None
Component
Aircraft Component	Cowling
Person 1
Function	Single Pilot
Qualification	Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Private
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 28 Flight Crew Total 525 Flight Crew Type 385
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy