What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
The aircraft took off and climbed to 6000 feet. Upon leveling off the top cowl departed the aircraft resulting in damage to the windshield. The pilot declared an emergency, returned to the airport and landed the aircraft normally. The pilot stated he noted no cowling defects during preflight. The mechanic who maintains this aircraft also stated no known isssues with the cowl.
As the FAA filed it
THE AIRCRAFT TOOK OFF AND CLIMBED TO 6000 FEET. UPON LEVELING OFF THE TOP COWL DEPARTED THE AIRCRAFT RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE WINDSHIELD. THE PILOT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY, RETURNED TO THE AIRPORT AND LANDED THE AIRCRAFT NORMALLY. THE PILOT STATED HE NOTED NO COWLING DEFECTS DURING PREFLIGHT. THE MECHANIC WHO MAINTAINS THIS AIRCRAFT ALSO STATED NO KNOWN ISSSUES WITH THE COWL.
Other reports on N8331C · 1
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.