the mechanic removed the cowling in order to repair the plane's engine.
Examples of cowling
cowling
Cowling said he was estranged from his father and that Carter helped fill the void.
From the sfgate.com
The engine cowling was damaged, but there was no damage to the engine itself.
From the en.wikipedia.org
The cross section of the cowling has the same shape as an aerofoil, says Frankovic.
From the newscientist.com
Cowling did not seem to look interested even with the 18 travelling players.
From the keighleynews.co.uk
A nacelle includes the engine cowling and other pieces, such as the thrust reverser.
From the al.com
Enamored of Asia, he put a pagoda-shaped cowling on the kitchen's chimney.
From the ocregister.com
The oil drain plug is usually on the bottom of the mower, underneath the deck cowling.
From the newsobserver.com
The tail continued to rise until the chin cowling and propeller contacted the runway.
From the thisisbristol.co.uk
The engine cowling was also re-shaped to smooth airflow into the propeller.
From the en.wikipedia.org
More examples
Hood: protective covering consisting of a metal part that covers the engine; "there are powerful engines under the hoods of new cars"; "the mechanic removed the cowling in order to repair the plane's engine"
(cowl) cover with or as with a cowl; "cowl the boys and veil the girls"
(cowl) a loose hood or hooded robe (as worn by a monk)
(cowled) having the head enclosed in a cowl or hood; "a cowled monk"
A cowling is the covering of a vehicle's engine, most often found on automobiles and aircraft.
The cowl (from the Latin, cuculla meaning "hood and rope") is a hood worn by members of religious orders. It also refers to a long, hooded cloak, with wide sleeves, worn by some Catholic and Orthodox monks when participating in the liturgy. ...
(Cowl (chimney)) A cowl is a usually hood-shaped covering used to increase the draft of a chimney and prevent backflow. The cowl, usually made of galvanized iron, is fitted to the chimney pot to prevent wind blowing the smoke back down into the room beneath. ...
(Cowl (novel)) Cowl is a 2004 science fiction novel by Neal Asher. It tells of an epic time war between two factions from the 43rd century.
(Cowl (oast)) A Cowl is a device used on a kiln to keep the weather out of, and induce a flow of air through, the kiln. ...