Cessna 150
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 123; Flight Crew Total 633; Flight Crew Type 620
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition
Aircraft
Weather was VMC with winds from 340 at 18 gusting 30. Preflight and run up were fine and I received a taxi clearance to runway 35 at E. After I got to the hold short line; I saw a jet on the south end of the runway which appeared to also be holding short for takeoff; I assumed at A. I received a clearance for takeoff on runway 35 with a right turn out to the south. Tower told me the jet was on the south end of the runway doing engine tests. I took off and due to the strong headwind; was between 400 feet and 500 feet AGL when I was over the end of the runway and turned crosswind. Tower told me to advise when I left class D airspace. I turned downwind about 700 feet to 800 feet AGL about 1/2 to 1 mile east of the runway. Shortly after turning downwind; I thought I detected a slight miss in the engine. Within 2-3 seconds; the engine started running rough and losing RPM. I verified the mixture was all the way in and pulled carb heat in case I was getting carb ice. This did not fix the problem and the engine quickly lost power and began running so roughly it was shaking the plane. I turned towards the airport; verified I was getting about 75 MPH airspeed and [transmitted to ATC]; stating I had lost my engine. There was no response from tower. I started to set up to come in and attempt a left turn to land on runway 17. As I was doing this; I remembered the jet on the end of the runway and figured with the strong tailwind; I would not be able to get stopped in time to avoid crashing into it. Because my engine was still running so rough it was shaking the airplane; I knew it was still running and figured it was still producing at least some power. I decided to instead attempt a 180 degree turn for a landing on runway 35. I was somewhere between 1/3 to 1/2 of the way south of the north end of the runway so I turned south to set up my turn and to give me a little more runway for a landing. After I made this turn; I again [tried to contact ATC] and again there was no response from the tower. Somewhere around half-way down the runway I started my 180 degree turn. Because of how close I was to the runway; I knew the turn was going to be steep so I lowered my nose to gain a little more airspeed so I wouldn't stall and concentrated on keeping the turn coordinated. I ended up west of the runway but was able to keep turning and line up over the runway with about 75 feet of altitude to spare. I then was able to realize the shaking from the engine had popped my audio panel button out. I pushed it back in and was able to communicate with tower. Tower cleared me to land and advised they saw me making a turn by the tower and smoke was coming from my airplane. When I got on the ground; I realized my oil pressure was low. After I got stopped; there was oil noticeably leaking from the engine compartment. A preliminary check by the mechanic revealed oil in two cylinders and no compression in the left two cylinders.Problem-Deviation from ATC instructionsContributing Factors-Engine failure; com failureCorrective Actions-[Return to the field]Corrective Actions-After landing was assured; troubleshoot/correct com failurePerceptions; Judgements; Decisions-Strong tailwind and jet on runway prevented original plan to land on runway 17.Perceptions; Judgements; Decisions-Realization that rough engine meant engine was at least still running and may provide some power to allow 180 degree turn for landing on runway 35.Actions or Inactions-Emergency landing on runway 35.Factors Affecting Quality of Human Performance-Stress of situation prevented me from realizing my com failure and its cause until I was lined up over the runway and knew I was going to be able to land safely. Stress of situation also prevented me from realizing other options such as simply landing in the center of the airport on the grass or attempting a 90 degree turn to the right to land on runway 30.
The pilot of a C150 reported an engine malfunction and return to the field that included a temporary loss of communication.