C-172 pilot reported a maintenance diversion due to temporary engine power loss. Normal engine power was restored and a safe landing was accomplished at a nearby airport.
Synopsis
C-172 pilot reported a maintenance diversion due to temporary engine power loss. Normal engine power was restored and a safe landing was accomplished at a nearby airport.
Narrative
I was on a cross country flight with Person A acting as a safety pilot. We were flying from ZZZ1 to ZZZ2. We were cruising at 6;500 ft. VFR over the top of an overcast layer. Roughly 2 hours into the flight we started to get an RPM drop of about 50 RPM. I richened the mixed and turned the carb heat on then started to look at Foreflight to see where the nearest airport was and told Person A to turn 20 degrees to the left to start heading towards an airport in case the issue got worse. At that point I took control of the aircraft as the more experienced pilot and I notified ZZZ Approach that we were going to divert to ZZZ. The RPM's started to drop more and more to the point where we could no longer maintain Level flight. At that point I notified ZZZ Approach that we would be descending through an overcast layer and would be IMC. By the time we entered the clouds at 5;500 ft. we had engine power loss with the RPM being at 900 RPM from the propeller windmilling. ATC gave us vectors towards a highway in case we weren't able to make it to ZZZ. By the time we started breaking out of the clouds we started to slowly get some power back so I started turning the plane back towards ZZZ. at about 2;000 ft. we had full power again and were able to make it the rest of the way to the airport and made a safe landing. I contacted ZZZ Approach once on the ground and let them know we were safe.
Second reporter narrative
The flight was conducted as a cross country flight with a safety pilot from ZZZ2 to ZZZ1. Prior to the flight; I've checked all the required documents and information needed for the flight. We were cruising at an altitude of 6;500 ft. MSL; and I noticed the RPM dropped without any adjustment of the throttle. So we ran the engine failure checklist while doing that; we began heading to nearest airport; ZZZ. Shortly after; the engine stopped. ATC advised the nearest airport was 10 NM out southwest; ZZZ. However; there was a layer of cloud at 5500 ft. MSL; so ATC was giving us heading to fly while we descent. Once we got out of the cloud layer; my safety pilot spotted the airport; ZZZ. And at this time; the engine came back partially; which gave us enough energy to make it to ZZZ and landed safely. The flight school sent out maintenance team to inspect the aircraft. They suspect it could be caused by carb icing. As of now; the aircraft is in the process of thorough inspection.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.