I was putting all the cowls back on my airplane after finishing the annual
condition inspection and accidentally dropped a screw into the bottom cowl
of the engine compartment. The washer fell on the floor and was easily
found but I couldn't find the screw. After looking all over and even
running a magnet into the cowl it seemed that the screw had rolled
somewhere on the3 floor near the washer but where I couldn't see it. Even
though I was sure it was somewhere on the floor I decided to take the
bottom cowl off, not easy to do with a 3 bladed prop, and confirm it wasn't
still in the engine compartment.
After a few minutes of searching I found the screw jammed in the alternator
firmly against the alternator belt. You can see it in the attached photo. I
don't even want to imagine what would have happened if I had started the
engine with the screw there.
*Morale of the story, make sure you account for all parts and tools after
any maintenance on your airplane before flying!*
