A C172 pilot and his instrument instructor pilot reported an engine cowling panel coming open at 50 ...

Attributes
ACN	909724
Time
Date	201009
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Initial Climb
Route In Use	Direct
Flight Plan	None
Component
Aircraft Component	Service/Access Door
Person 1
Function	Captain Pilot Not Flying Instructor
Qualification	Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Flight Instructor Flight Crew Commercial
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 90 Flight Crew Total 4000 Flight Crew Type 600
Person 2
Function	Trainee Pilot Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Private
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 11 Flight Crew Total 150 Flight Crew Type 150
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Ground Excursion Runway

Narrative:

This was a instrument training flight with my student. After pre-flighting the aircraft; we briefly discussed the plan of action for days training exercise. We got into the airplane; started the engine; obtained the ATIS; and called ground for the initial taxi instructions. We were told to taxi to the 'triangle' for the run-up. After the run-up; we were told to contact tower. Tower cleared us for take off 17R from intersection 'east.' upon taking the runway; my student added full power and began rolling down the runway. We rotated the airplane at the appropriate speed and began to climb. At approximately 50 feet AGL; an access panel on the nose cowl came open. My student immediately pulled the power to idle to land the aircraft on the remaining runway. I; as the instructor; would have done the same and had no problem with how my student was handling the situation. We landed the airplane back on the runway and immediately applied max braking; trying to keep in mind to not lock the brakes. It was soon very obvious that we did not have enough runway remaining; and we were going to go off the end of the runway. My student maneuvered the aircraft to stay clear of all runway lights and signs. We were able to bring the airplane back onto the taxiway and took the airplane back to parking. I remember saying to my student; 'power to idle!' just before we landed. He replied 'it is!' we inspected the aircraft for damage and did not immediately see any damage. After the incident; I went back to inspect for damaged signs or lights and did not see any.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A C172 pilot and his instrument instructor pilot reported an engine cowling panel coming open at 50 FT after takeoff and landing the aircraft on the remaining runway but slightly overrunning the end.

Narrative: This was a instrument training flight with my student. After pre-flighting the aircraft; we briefly discussed the plan of action for days training exercise. We got into the airplane; started the engine; obtained the ATIS; and called ground for the initial taxi instructions. We were told to taxi to the 'triangle' for the run-up. After the run-up; we were told to contact tower. Tower cleared us for take off 17R from intersection 'E.' Upon taking the runway; my student added full power and began rolling down the runway. We rotated the airplane at the appropriate speed and began to climb. At approximately 50 feet AGL; an access panel on the nose cowl came open. My student immediately pulled the power to idle to land the aircraft on the remaining runway. I; as the instructor; would have done the same and had no problem with how my student was handling the situation. We landed the airplane back on the runway and immediately applied max braking; trying to keep in mind to not lock the brakes. It was soon very obvious that we did not have enough runway remaining; and we were going to go off the end of the runway. My student maneuvered the aircraft to stay clear of all runway lights and signs. We were able to bring the airplane back onto the taxiway and took the airplane back to parking. I remember saying to my student; 'Power to idle!' just before we landed. He replied 'it is!' We inspected the aircraft for damage and did not immediately see any damage. After the incident; I went back to inspect for damaged signs or lights and did not see any.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.

A C172 pilot and his instrument instructor pilot reported an engine cowling panel coming open at 50 ft after takeoff and landing the aircraft on the remaining runway but slightly overrunning the end.