Narrative:

After completing my preflight routine and startup we received clearance to taxi. Approaching the hold point we were cleared to switch to the tower frequency. We were approximately number 7 for departure. Subsequently; we were instructed to line up and wait. After a minute or two; hearing no further communication from the tower; we called for a radio check. We received a poor signal from the tower (located almost directly in line with the runway). I turned the aircraft slightly and the reception became clear. I acknowledged the clearance to take off. On takeoff the engine started running roughly and it became apparent that the engine was not developing full power.only modest climb was achieved. I immediately re-checked the throttle; the propeller control; the mixture; fuel boost and the magnetos and verified all were set appropriately for the condition of flight. I called the tower and informed the controller that we would have to return for an immediate landing 'with engine problems'. He instructed me to continue on the upwind which I proceeded to do for about fifteen or twenty seconds. During this stage; the engine began to progressively run more roughly and the noise level within the cockpit increased markedly. The rate of climb diminished further; dwindling towards zero and I became concerned that the engine might not keep running throughout a standard pattern (comprising an upwind; crosswind; downwind; base and final legs). I decided that the situation required me to immediately execute a 'teardrop' from upwind to land on the same runway on a reciprocal heading. I radioed the tower stating my intentions and started the turn. At this stage I estimate that we were perhaps 300 feet above the runway. Once on the reciprocal heading; I cut the power which also reduced the ambient noise to a level allowing me to hear that I had been cleared to land. I taxied back to the hangars as directed by the ground controller. During the taxi back to the hangar; the engine was backfiring with increasing frequency. Troubleshooting by maintenance is on-going. From the moment of commencing the take-off roll to completing the landing roll would have been 45 to 75 seconds.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Pitts S2A pilot reported returning to departure airport after the engine failed to develop full power following takeoff.

Narrative: After completing my preflight routine and startup we received clearance to taxi. Approaching the hold point we were cleared to switch to the Tower frequency. We were approximately number 7 for departure. Subsequently; we were instructed to line up and wait. After a minute or two; hearing no further communication from the Tower; we called for a radio check. We received a poor signal from the Tower (located almost directly in line with the runway). I turned the aircraft slightly and the reception became clear. I acknowledged the clearance to take off. On takeoff the engine started running roughly and it became apparent that the engine was not developing full power.Only modest climb was achieved. I immediately re-checked the throttle; the propeller control; the mixture; fuel boost and the magnetos and verified all were set appropriately for the condition of flight. I called the Tower and informed the Controller that we would have to return for an immediate landing 'with engine problems'. He instructed me to continue on the upwind which I proceeded to do for about fifteen or twenty seconds. During this stage; the engine began to progressively run more roughly and the noise level within the cockpit increased markedly. The rate of climb diminished further; dwindling towards zero and I became concerned that the engine might not keep running throughout a standard pattern (comprising an upwind; crosswind; downwind; base and final legs). I decided that the situation required me to immediately execute a 'teardrop' from upwind to land on the same runway on a reciprocal heading. I radioed the Tower stating my intentions and started the turn. At this stage I estimate that we were perhaps 300 feet above the runway. Once on the reciprocal heading; I cut the power which also reduced the ambient noise to a level allowing me to hear that I had been cleared to land. I taxied back to the hangars as directed by the ground controller. During the taxi back to the hangar; the engine was backfiring with increasing frequency. Troubleshooting by maintenance is on-going. From the moment of commencing the take-off roll to completing the landing roll would have been 45 to 75 seconds.

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.