Cessna 152
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Total 122; Flight Crew Type 122
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Weather; Aircraft
As the pilot in command of the aircraft; I had done all the necessary preflight actions. The route of flight was [along the coastline] at 5500 feet. As we were cruising down the coastline; I remember the engine ran a little rough; and I turned on the carburetor heat. We flew for approximately 5 minutes before we started losing engine power. It looked like we were going to lose the engine power completely to me. I turned inland and went through the checklist. The engine still seemed as though it was going to turn off completely. I was gliding towards ZZZ1 airport. With the engine still giving slight power pulses; I remember going through the checklist at least 3 times. It was at about 3500 feet that the engine started giving me the power I needed. I kept the aircraft climbing to 6500 feet. Moments later the engine seemed to run smooth again; and so I decided to take the airplane back to ZZZ; [the departure airport]. I landed the aircraft; and I remember the controller asking me if I needed any assistance of some sort. I did not see the need. I taxied the aircraft back to the flying club; and parked it. I then spoke to the dispatcher and the mechanics regarding what had happened and that I suspected it to be carburetor icing.
C152 pilot reported a loss of engine power that resulted in a return to the departure airport. The pilot suspected carburetor icing.