Narrative:

Following a normal flaps 1 takeoff and climbing through approximately 5500 feet on departure; we received a call from one of our flight attendants saying that a passenger reported they saw two pieces of something fly off the right side of the aircraft sometime during takeoff. We asked the flight attendant to further investigate by looking out the window at the right engine and then report back to us. During this time I told my first officer (first officer) to request a level off while I also slowed the aircraft as not to aggravate any abnormal condition with the engine or airframe. Also during this time; all engine and other aircraft indications appeared normal in the cockpit. Shortly thereafter; our flight attendant reported back to us that a portion of the inboard right engine cowling was missing from the aircraft. I acknowledged this and shortly thereafter had my first officer coordinate a return to the airport with ATC. Also during this unscheduled return; ATC informed us that a portion of our right engine cowling had been found on the departure runway. I briefed the passengers and flight attendants on our situation and informed them that the aircraft was operating normally and that we would be returning to [departure airport] as a safety measure. My first officer and I accomplished all required checklist items and I safely landed and taxied the aircraft to the assigned gate without further incident.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A320 flight crew reported returning to departure airport after losing part of the right engine cowling on takeoff.

Narrative: Following a normal flaps 1 takeoff and climbing through approximately 5500 feet on departure; we received a call from one of our flight attendants saying that a passenger reported they saw two pieces of something fly off the right side of the aircraft sometime during takeoff. We asked the flight attendant to further investigate by looking out the window at the right engine and then report back to us. During this time I told my FO (First Officer) to request a level off while I also slowed the aircraft as not to aggravate any abnormal condition with the engine or airframe. Also during this time; all engine and other aircraft indications appeared normal in the cockpit. Shortly thereafter; our flight attendant reported back to us that a portion of the inboard right engine cowling was missing from the aircraft. I acknowledged this and shortly thereafter had my FO coordinate a return to the airport with ATC. Also during this unscheduled return; ATC informed us that a portion of our right engine cowling had been found on the departure runway. I briefed the passengers and flight attendants on our situation and informed them that the aircraft was operating normally and that we would be returning to [departure airport] as a safety measure. My FO and I accomplished all required checklist items and I safely landed and taxied the aircraft to the assigned gate without further incident.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site 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.