Cessna 150
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Commercial
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
Upon initial climbout; the power dropped from around 2;500 RPM at full throttle to 2;000 RPM at about 300 FT AGL. The issue was noticed immediately as the aircraft was no longer climbing and a call was made to the Tower to return to land on the closest available runway. There was also an open field on the south side of the runway in case there was a total power loss. The power available was enough to return to land on Runway XX where a landing was made without incident. Upon landing; the aircraft was taxied to park at a tie down spot until it could be inspected by an authorized mechanic. In December of 2013; a valve was stuck on one of the cylinders. Our Mechanic then cleaned each valve to ensure that this would not happen again and there have not been any other incidents since they were cleaned. This could possibly be the source of the issue but until he has the opportunity to inspect the aircraft again; it is not certain what caused the partial power loss.
The reporter indicated that the Mechanic reported that a fouled spark plug was observed; however after cleaning the spark plug full power was still not available. A cracked cylinder was then discovered; and all four cylinders were subsequently replaced.
The pilot of a Cessna 150 experienced a partial power loss during climb and successfully returned to the departure airport. A cracked engine cylinder was later discovered to be the cause of the malfunction.