Narrative:

After a full stop landing and a 10 minute water/bathroom break; I decided to head back. I was cleared to taxi to the active runway. I performed the engine run up at the hold short line. All instrument gauges checked out green. The magnetos checked out less than 175 RPM difference (as stated in poh). I got clearance from tower to take off and I took off with no problem (rotation speed 65-70 mph); climbed out at 85 mph. No issues with the climb until I reached 7;400 ft MSL. I was going for 7;500 ft MSL. At 7;400 ft I noticed a reduction of power (audible and visual). I was still at 'full power' according to the throttle position. I tried pushing in the throttle and saw no change and was unable to push any further. I switched fuel tanks and checked the boost pump was on (it was). I tried to set mixture to full rich (I think I leaned; too) and saw no change on power or rpm. I declared an emergency with approach. They asked me if I would like to turn back and I said sure. I turned the airplane around. I went for runway xy but noticed I was too high. I told departure/approach that I'm going for runway zz. I'm trying to bleed off airspeed (trying for best glide speed - 80 mph) but I'm unsuccessful. I have no control with the throttle. I realize I'm going to land long on runway zz. I try to push in throttle for go-around but I still am unable to change power. At that point I commit to landing straight ahead. I touched the end of the runway zz (about 100 ft from threshold) then the airplane bounced and I remained on ground effect. I'm still in ground effect for a few miles and I started turning off my systems. I tried controlling my descent on ground effect so I wouldn't oscillate on soft ground (avoid ground loop). Once I turned off the ignition; the engine completely quit and I was able to land safely. I had one passenger and both he and I sustained no injuries. I believe to avoid something like this from happening I should know the system better and understand if maintenance has been performed on the aircraft; I should ask to take a look at it. That way I can verify that everything is in its proper place. Also; as far as the landing; if I couldn't control the descent with engine; once I had the runway made I should've made a power-off landing. That would have avoided the off-airport landing portion. There was also no damage to private property from landing and no visible damage to plane.

Related reports:

Google
 

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: PA28 pilot reports losing power at 7;400 FT after departing a high altitude airport. An emergency is declared and a turn back to the departure airport is made. It is discovered that engine power cannot be reduced either and the first approach results in a go around of sorts. The second approach also ends in a go-around with insufficient power to climb and results in an off airport landing when the ignition is secured.

Narrative: After a full stop landing and a 10 minute water/bathroom break; I decided to head back. I was cleared to taxi to the active runway. I performed the engine run up at the hold short line. All instrument gauges checked out green. The magnetos checked out less than 175 RPM difference (as stated in POH). I got clearance from Tower to take off and I took off with no problem (rotation speed 65-70 MPH); climbed out at 85 MPH. No issues with the climb until I reached 7;400 FT MSL. I was going for 7;500 FT MSL. At 7;400 FT I noticed a reduction of power (audible and visual). I was still at 'full power' according to the throttle position. I tried pushing in the throttle and saw no change and was unable to push any further. I switched fuel tanks and checked the boost pump was on (it was). I tried to set mixture to full rich (I think I leaned; too) and saw no change on power or rpm. I declared an emergency with Approach. They asked me if I would like to turn back and I said sure. I turned the airplane around. I went for Runway XY but noticed I was too high. I told Departure/Approach that I'm going for Runway ZZ. I'm trying to bleed off airspeed (trying for best glide speed - 80 MPH) but I'm unsuccessful. I have no control with the throttle. I realize I'm going to land long on Runway ZZ. I try to push in throttle for go-around but I still am unable to change power. At that point I commit to landing straight ahead. I touched the end of the Runway ZZ (about 100 FT from threshold) then the airplane bounced and I remained on ground effect. I'm still in ground effect for a few miles and I started turning off my systems. I tried controlling my descent on ground effect so I wouldn't oscillate on soft ground (avoid ground loop). Once I turned off the ignition; the engine completely quit and I was able to land safely. I had one passenger and both he and I sustained no injuries. I believe to avoid something like this from happening I should know the system better and understand if maintenance has been performed on the aircraft; I should ask to take a look at it. That way I can verify that everything is in its proper place. Also; as far as the landing; if I couldn't control the descent with engine; once I had the runway made I should've made a power-off landing. That would have avoided the off-airport landing portion. There was also no damage to private property from landing and no visible damage to plane.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.