Military
Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 30; Flight Crew Total 7000; Flight Crew Type 350
Time Pressure; Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Landed As Precaution
Aircraft; Procedure
Tower authorized an initial approach to Runway XX with a break to the right over the approach end of the runway and was cleared to land. As I started the right break the engine back fired numerous times and as a result I rolled wings level to maintain my airspeed and inertia in the event of total loss of engine power. This heading took me to the northeast corner of the airport while I continued to consider my landing options. As PIC it was critical; in my opinion; that to continue operational safety; I needed to land as soon as practicable. The tower again cleared me to enter a right down wind for Runway XX and I declined those instructions. I told tower I was going to land on Runway YY which was the closest available. The tower asked if I needed assistance and that opposite runway operations were not authorized. I then said to the tower that I am the one flying the aircraft and that I was going to land on Runway YY. I did not declare an emergency as I was not in immediate threat of death but should have declared a PAN.As an aside there were no immediate traffic conflicts in the immediate are however tower did instruct an inbound flight to remain outside the airport traffic area until we got it sorted out. Minutes later after I landed successfully they did as well.I didn't have time to discuss formalities and proper procedures with the tower. All I wanted was to land on the best available runway and Runway YY was my choice due to its proximity.
Antique military aircraft pilot reported landing opposite direction without proper clearance after his engine backfired several times.