Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 100; Flight Crew Total 11000; Flight Crew Type 6000
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
Initial test flight of new rebuilt engine in this airplane. I was supposed to do one trip around the traffic pattern then taxi back to maintenance for the mechanic to check for leaks etc. Taxi to active run-up and pre takeoff checks were normal with good oil temperature and pressure and magneto checks were smooth and were within tolerances. Cleared for takeoff and right closed traffic. Full power check of all instruments were normal (oil temperature in green arc; oil pressure mid-range of green arc; and 2300 RPM) before brake release. Acceleration in ground run felt good and liftoff and initial climb were normal. At about 300 FT AGL (on departure leg) the engine all of a sudden started to lose power and the RPM dropped to 1800 with some vibration coming from the engine. I told the Tower I was having engine trouble and requested immediate landing clearance as I turned cross wind to downwind. The tower cleared me to land on [departing] runway; but I requested [landing on opposite direction] runway. Runway is approximately 5000 FT long and since I was at this time only about 400 FT AGL and abeam the [opposite direction] runway numbers it was the closest runway. They cleared me to land on [the opposite direction] runway. I did not declare an emergency and no priority was given to me. I made a normal landing and taxied to the maintenance tie down.
While conducting a test flight following engine installation; the pilot of a C172 experienced a loss of power and vibration from the engine at 300 feet above ground level. He was able to maneuver and land successfully on the opposite direction runway.