Bonanza 36
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 40; Flight Crew Total 5500; Flight Crew Type 4000
Situational Awareness; Time Pressure; Troubleshooting; Workload
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Object
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; General Maintenance Action; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Human Factors; Procedure; Aircraft
I departed ZZZ shortly after XA00 from runway XX; heading west. Shortly after I put my gear up at approximately 100 knots airspeed and a couple hundred feet of altitude the engine started to run rough and appeared to be losing power. I made an immediate left turn to return to the runway. I was planning to land on runway XX however; the engine appeared to be losing power and airspeed. I lowered the nose to maintain airspeed and decided to attempt to make it to runway 6 with the runway lights visible. I felt that I was too low to make the runway and raised the nose to gain some attitude and give up some airspeed. At which time i heard a felt a loud bang and immediate vibration. After that point I pointed the aircraft towards the runway lights; dropped the landing gear. Although this all happened very quickly; I think a couple of minutes or so it felt as though the engine was intermittently losing and gaining power.After I landed about mid field; I was able to brake and maintain control. The vibration was mild and the engine continued to run. I stopped on the taxi way just off the runway and checked the engine gauges; verifying good oil pressure and temperature and fuel flow; was normal. I taxied to my hanger.Inspection revealed some dents in the left wing; engine cowling and damage to the 3 propeller blades. I called [an FBO] and explained the incident. He brought a replacement prop and installed it. Shortly after this I started the engine and did a run up which was all normal and smooth. I then flew the plane a couple of miles to [the FBO]. Further inspection revealed some vegetation in and around the wing gap seals. Although I did not see what I hit. I suspect it was a tree top somewhere off the airport property.
Pilot reported engine power loss on takeoff and elected to perform an air turn back and precautionary landing. Pilot also reported after post flight inspection revealed damage to the propeller with dents in the wings and wing fairing seals.