Light Sport Aircraft
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 35; Flight Crew Total 7000; Flight Crew Type 35
Distraction; Human-Machine Interface
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Rejected Takeoff; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Human Factors; Aircraft
I am not sure a violation occurred in this incident and I do not believe it a reportable incident.  However; I am filing this report to help avoid an FAA violation; but also because if this agency uses this information for analysis and data collection; then this report is of some value.  On take off; after pre-flighting my aircraft; I noticed a large increase in the cylinder head temps on my aircraft engine.  I estimate my altitude to have been approx. 200 feet agl.  I reduced power to idle; did an aborted take off and landed the airplane.  I taxied to the nearest taxiway and shut down the engine. Because I was concerned about the potential for an engine fire I immediately shut down the aircraft engine.  I was about 5 feet from the nearest tie down area and so I pulled the aircraft to that area and pulled the top cowling.  I had forgotten to take the engine intake plugs from the cowling and that is what caused the engine to overheat.  The engine coolant reservoir cap had come off the recover causing the coolant to be sprayed into the engine compartment.  An airport ground person drove me to my hangar where I had some coolant stored.  I then filled the coolant reservoir; started the engine and the cylinder head temps were still to high for safe flight.  I called ground control for an expedited taxi back to my hangar; was given that clearance; and returned to my hangar. I then drove my car to my destination. Final conclusion:  During my preflight I completely forgot the cowling plugs because my mind was concentrating on the 7 hour flight; and I failed to use a proper check list while pre-flighting the aircraft.  THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN!!!
LSA pilot reports forgetting to remove cowling plugs during preflight resulting in high CHT shortly after takeoff. The anomaly is quickly detected and the aircraft is landed in the remaining runway.