Narrative:

As part of my part 141 training program I was preparing a solo cross-country flight from ZZZ to ZZZ2 and back. My flight plan and navigation log was reviewed and signed off by my instructor. I contacted flight service by telephone and after submitting my flight plan I asked for a standard weather briefing and notams; which I duly received and made note of. After review with my instructor of all endorsements; other part 141 documents and my medical certificate; I completed all items on the preflight checklist. The engine started normally and I proceeded to the run-up area. After continuation of the checklist I started setting up the magneto check. I increased the engine RPM to 1800 RPM and did not set the mixture to full rich. Instead I leaned the mixture according to the instructor's alternative procedure (alternative procedure being; lean mixture resulting in increase of engine RPM until visual RPM drop; then re-enrich mixture until max RPM achieved before the drop). With the mixture set; I performed a satisfactory magneto check within the boundaries of the checklist. During the leaning prior to and during the magneto check I noticed some engine roughness but was not worried at the time as I believed this to be minor and it subsequently subsided. After having received clearance to runway 4R at foxtrot via charley; I taxied to the said position and held short at the active runway. I was then cleared for takeoff from runway 4R. Deviating from the checklist; I did not set mixture to full rich but maintained the optimized leaned out setting (as per prior instructions from instructors regarding takeoffs). I rolled onto the runway; added full power and took off slightly above 55 KTS; all engine systems and indications in the green. A few moments after being airborne - perhaps at 150-300 ft - the engine displayed extreme roughness and a significant loss of power. As I knew I could not turn below 500 ft I had to land in a straight line back onto the departing runway 4R. I did not hesitate and pulled back power immediately preparing for an emergency landing. While reducing power to almost idle; I contacted the tower; explained I had engine issues/failure and requested immediate landing back on runway 4R. The tower cleared me for landing and asked if I need further assistance. I declined further assistance and landed at the far end of runway 4R close to the end of the runway. The tower asked if everything was alright and requested my intentions. I stated that all was well and as the engine was still running I requested taxi back to the FBO. At the parking area I completed the post-landing checklist and walked back to the FBO. I contacted my instructor immediately and informed her of the events in person as she was on the premises. There were no injuries or property damage to anyone or anything. I only spent the previous 3 lessons in this aircraft. My regular plane was down for maintenance.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A student pilot departing from a sea level airport suffered a loss of power shortly after takeoff. During the magneto check the engine had been leaned to best power mixture but not returned to full rich prior to takeoff.

Narrative: As part of my Part 141 training program I was preparing a solo cross-country flight from ZZZ to ZZZ2 and back. My flight plan and navigation log was reviewed and signed off by my instructor. I contacted Flight Service by telephone and after submitting my flight plan I asked for a standard weather briefing and NOTAMs; which I duly received and made note of. After review with my instructor of all endorsements; other Part 141 documents and my medical certificate; I completed all items on the preflight checklist. The engine started normally and I proceeded to the run-up area. After continuation of the checklist I started setting up the magneto check. I increased the engine RPM to 1800 RPM and did not set the mixture to full rich. Instead I leaned the mixture according to the instructor's alternative procedure (alternative procedure being; lean mixture resulting in increase of engine RPM until visual RPM drop; then re-enrich mixture until max RPM achieved before the drop). With the mixture set; I performed a satisfactory magneto check within the boundaries of the checklist. During the leaning prior to and during the magneto check I noticed some engine roughness but was not worried at the time as I believed this to be minor and it subsequently subsided. After having received clearance to Runway 4R at Foxtrot via Charley; I taxied to the said position and held short at the active runway. I was then cleared for takeoff from Runway 4R. Deviating from the checklist; I did not set mixture to FULL rich but maintained the optimized leaned out setting (as per prior instructions from instructors regarding takeoffs). I rolled onto the runway; added full power and took off slightly above 55 KTS; all engine systems and indications in the green. A few moments after being airborne - perhaps at 150-300 FT - the engine displayed extreme roughness and a significant loss of power. As I knew I could not turn below 500 FT I had to land in a straight line back onto the departing Runway 4R. I did not hesitate and pulled back power immediately preparing for an emergency landing. While reducing power to almost idle; I contacted the Tower; explained I had engine issues/failure and requested immediate landing back on Runway 4R. The Tower cleared me for landing and asked if I need further assistance. I declined further assistance and landed at the far end of Runway 4R close to the end of the runway. The Tower asked if everything was alright and requested my intentions. I stated that all was well and as the engine was still running I requested taxi back to the FBO. At the parking area I completed the post-landing checklist and walked back to the FBO. I contacted my instructor immediately and informed her of the events in person as she was on the premises. There were no injuries or property damage to anyone or anything. I only spent the previous 3 lessons in this aircraft. My regular plane was down for maintenance.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.