PA-28 Cherokee/Archer/Dakota/Pillan/Warrior
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Time Pressure; Situational Awareness; Confusion
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition
Airport; Aircraft
Runway 35L departure. About 200-300 AGL aircraft stopped climbing. Right turn to 090 and call to Tower saying we were unable to climb.  Rising terrain in front of us forced a right turn eastward and then southward. Tower cleared the runways and told landing runway was pilot's discretion. We were unable to climb much higher than 300 AGL the whole flight. Initiated a right downwind pattern between the parallels. Base to final turn to land back on Runway 17L. Landed without incident. Taxi back to hangers and had maintenance look at the engine.
A Piper PA-28 pilot reported difficulty climbing after takeoff; and requested an immediate return to the airport.