SR20
Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Procedure; Aircraft
During [the] lesson; we conducted 3 landings in the traffic pattern at ZZZ on Runway XXR. On the final landing a touch and go was performed. On the climbout at 1;500 feet. I noticed a decrease in engine performance and noticed that the cylinder 6 Cylinder Head Temperature (CHT) was fluctuating between a zero indication and white. I immediately took controls; boost was already on; I switched tanks; turned alternate air induction on and verified the magnetos were on both leveled from the climb and reduced power. I then contacted Departure and notified them I was returning to ZZZ with engine abnormalities. We were given priority to land on Runway XXR. Landed on Runway XXR with no further incidents.Once I noticed the partial power loss and noticed the CHT indications; I immediately executed the partial power loss checklist. I did not move the magnetos; it was evident that Cylinder 6 was inoperative and I did not want to risk an even further power loss scenario by switching between magnetos. I made a slightly higher than and faster than normal approach to Runway XXR in the case of total power loss.
SR20 Pilot reported engine power loss and elected to return to the airport and make a precautionary landing.