Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 8; Flight Crew Total 1000; Flight Crew Type 175
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
DATE; XX00 left ZZZ with 1 passenger en route to ZZZ1. Climbed to 6;500 ft. Reduced power and leaned mixture. At about XA00 engine started to run rough. Diverted to ZZZ2. Advised ATC. Went through emergency checklist. Increased throttle and mixture. Added carb heat. About 5 minutes later; RPM dropped to idle (1000). Advised ATC. ATC confirmed that ZZZ2 was nearest. About 2 minutes later power returned. Continued on to ZZZ2 and called ATC as instructed. Tied down plane at ZZZ2.DATE1; returned to ZZZ2 by car. Drained fuel from each sump for longer than normal period of time. Started up with no issues. Did a runup for an extended period of time. At around XH:00; departed ZZZ2. Out of caution; climbed circling the field before departing the area. In order to maximize opportunity to divert if necessary; flew a return route towards ZZZ3 before turning towards ZZZ. Experienced no issues.
Pilot reported engine power loss and elected to divert to a safe precautionary landing.