M-20 E Super 21
Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 22; Flight Crew Total 2450; Flight Crew Type 68
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
After a complete run-up and thorough preflight; I departed ZZZ towards the coastline for a scenic flight. When throttling up; engine indicating instruments were in the green; with the engine running smoothly; Manifold pressure was almost 30 in/hg and rpm was at full rpm; mixture was full rich; electric fuel pump was on; and I was on the right fuel tank. Aircraft accelerated smoothly and climbed well. I retracted my gear when out of usable runway and climbed at Vy. Once climbing through 900MSL I brought the nose down for more of a cruise climb for visibility and accelerated to approximately 120mph and the aircraft continued climbing well. No power adjustments were made. Suddenly a large pop sound like a very very loud backfire occurred and the aircraft started vibrating. My engine indicating instruments were still in the green including oil pressure. I turned back to the runway as the engine was making partial power. The aircraft started smoking and for fear of an engine fire I accelerated the aircraft downward. This smoke turned out to be from the number 3 cylinder that had blown and was dumping oil directly onto the exhaust pipe. I had made the runway; landed; was able to safely taxi clear of the runway and shutdown on the taxiway. The aircraft had full oil and the dipstick was verified secured pre and post flight.
Pilot reported a loud bang and smoke from engine on climb out; resulting in a precautionary landing.