Navion
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 19; Flight Crew Total 530; Flight Crew Type 425
Situational Awareness; Training / Qualification
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Gear Up Landing; Ground Event / Encounter Ground Strike - Aircraft
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition
Aircraft; Human Factors
Initial roll on takeoff was routine; rotating a little faster than normal due to the higher density altitude. I initiated gear retraction; which occurred normally. On initial climb; the large right engine cowling lifted up and began to bend and flutter in front of the windscreen. The movement of the cowling increased rapidly; then began to violently shake and distort.I estimate that half of [the 6;800 runway] was remaining and the plane had reached 20-25 feet altitude. The situation required a decision to continue flight; with an attempt to fly a pattern to an emergency landing; or to continue straight ahead and make an emergency landing on the remaining runway.In consideration of the unknown flight characteristics with the loose cowl violently shaking and/or possible loss of the cowling of the plane into the windscreen or empennage; I made the decision to make an emergency landing on the remaining runway.Contributing to my decision; terrain beyond the end of [the runway] consists of a short gravel run-off area; with large boulders at the perimeter. The terrain drops off steeply into a canyon beyond the boulders.I didn't believe I had the time to extend the landing gear and make the end of the runway. I pulled the throttle and landed straight ahead. This resulted in a gear up landing; with minimal impact. The plane remained on the runway and came to rest on the right edge of the asphalt.There were no injuries and no airport property damage. The plane suffered a prop strike and metal damage on the belly. The plane was lifted and the gear extended. It was towed from the runway on its own gear and stored in a hangar.The corrective actions I will take is to be hyper-vigilant of the doors; vents and cowls on preflight to assure that they are not only flush and closed; but also; that fastening devices are properly engaged; closed and secure.In addition to visual inspection for 'closed' panels; I will physically test the latching for correct retention.
Ryan Navion pilot reported executing a gear-up emergency landing on remaining runway when the engine cowling popped open shortly after takeoff.