PA-28 Cherokee/Archer/Dakota/Pillan/Warrior
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 3; Flight Crew Total 590; Flight Crew Type 590
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
Normal flight from ZZZ to ZZZ1; landing at XA:05. After short break; normal start-up; normal run-up with no engine problems detected. Departed ZZZ RWYXX approximately XB:30. Upon reaching approximately 1;800 feet; loss of power from normal full power 2300 RPM to 2000 RPM; engine began vibrating and shuddering. Advised ATC.  Normal turn to downwind/base/final; able to maintain altitude though vibration persisted until power was reduced to 1700 RPM (when landing was assured). Uneventful final approach and landing. Vibration not detected on taxi. Follow up call to my usual mechanic; who flew to ZZZ and diagnosed loss of compression in number 4 cylinder.  The cause of the loss of compression is not certain.   Plane left at ZZZ until repairs can be completed. Annual maintenance had been completed first week of April with normal test flight after maintenance and one uneventful local flight. At time of annual all cylinders passed compression testing. No accidents or injuries resulted.
PA28 pilot reported loss of engine power and elected to execute an Air Turn Back to a precautionary landing.