Narrative:

I was working the local position which is only working the xx's. I received a release on aircraft X on a 175 heading IFR. I cleared aircraft X for takeoff on runway xxl; issued runway heading until advised and gave a 'caution wake turbulence' for the B737 departing off runway xxr in a right turn out. Also on my frequency were aircraft Z and aircraft Y both inbound to runway xxr for landing (aircraft Z short final xxr and aircraft Y approx. 4 miles behind.)when aircraft X got airborne; I advised them to 'turn left heading 175' which they acknowledged. I then keyed the [tower of the adjacent airport] line to advise that a slow climbing aircraft was departing ZZZ and heading southbound over their airport (this was recently in a briefing that we need to do that). As I was hanging up with [the adjacent airport's tower]; the next thing I heard was 'aircraft X; we need to land now'. I observed aircraft holding in position on runway xyr and one about to touchdown on runway xyl so I didn't think that was going to be an option. I asked aircraft X 'which runway would you like to land'? Aircraft X advised they would like to turn around and land on runway xzl. Aircraft Z was clearing runway xxr (opposite xzl) so I cleared aircraft X to land on either runway xzl or xzr; whichever he wanted. I then sent aircraft Y around on a 3 mile final; issued runway heading and 4;500 feet (and then climbed him to 7;000 feet over the airport). Aircraft X landed safely on runway xzl and exited at the end. They advised they lost 2 cylinders after departure but was no longer requiring assistance. I'm not sure if I re-issued the wind when I cleared him to land; which I wish I would have done. I issued it when I cleared him for takeoff though and it was the same wind for the most part.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Tower Controller reported an aircraft just departed and had to return due to losing 2 cylinders.

Narrative: I was working the local position which is only working the XX's. I received a release on Aircraft X on a 175 heading IFR. I cleared Aircraft X for takeoff on RWY XXL; issued RWY heading until advised and gave a 'caution wake turbulence' for the B737 departing off RWY XXR in a right turn out. Also on my frequency were Aircraft Z and Aircraft Y both inbound to RWY XXR for landing (Aircraft Z short final XXR and Aircraft Y approx. 4 miles behind.)When Aircraft X got airborne; I advised them to 'turn left heading 175' which they acknowledged. I then keyed the [tower of the adjacent airport] line to advise that a slow climbing aircraft was departing ZZZ and heading southbound over their airport (this was recently in a briefing that we need to do that). As I was hanging up with [the adjacent airport's tower]; the next thing I heard was 'Aircraft X; we need to land now'. I observed aircraft holding in position on RWY XYR and one about to touchdown on RWY XYL so I didn't think that was going to be an option. I asked Aircraft X 'which runway would you like to land'? Aircraft X advised they would like to turn around and land on RWY XZL. Aircraft Z was clearing RWY XXR (opposite XZL) so I cleared Aircraft X to land on either RWY XZL or XZR; whichever he wanted. I then sent Aircraft Y around on a 3 Mile final; issued RWY heading and 4;500 feet (and then climbed him to 7;000 feet over the airport). Aircraft X landed safely on RWY XZL and exited at the end. They advised they lost 2 cylinders after departure but was no longer requiring assistance. I'm not sure if I re-issued the wind when I cleared him to land; which I wish I would have done. I issued it when I cleared him for takeoff though and it was the same wind for the most part.

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.