Small Aircraft
Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 8; Flight Crew Total 650; Flight Crew Type 350
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition
Aircraft
Takeoff roll was normal. On initial climb at approximately 400 ft. AGL; the engine lost power and started running roughly. Takeoff rpm was approximately 5;300 rpm and engine dropped to about 4;000 rpm. Told Tower that I was having engine problems and needed to land immediately. A landing was made on the intersecting runway without incident or problem. The taxi back to the hangar was normal. I believe that this had something to do with the fuel system; even though the system was sumped with no visible contaminants immediately prior to the flight. The pre-takeoff run-up was normal. The engine ran normally at low rpm on the return to the hangar. Possibilities in my mind were fuel contaminants or possibly carburetor ice. I plan on removing the cowl and checking the fuel lines and then doing a full power run-up for about 5 minutes to see if the condition can be reproduced on the ground.
Pilot reported the engine lost power and began running roughly during initial climb; resulting in an immediate return to landing.