C152 Flight Instructor with student reported that the aircraft engine did not develop adequate power to climb after takeoff. Flight Instructor landed on a nearby runway.

Date: 2025-09 · Aircraft: Cessna 152 · Phase: takeoff

Anomalies: Aircraft equipment problem criticalDeviation discrepancy procedural landing without clearanceDeviation discrepancy procedural published material policyGround incursion runway

Synopsis

C152 Flight Instructor with student reported that the aircraft engine did not develop adequate power to climb after takeoff. Flight Instructor landed on a nearby runway.

Narrative

It was routine training flight with my student. This incident happened during pattern work on XXR at ZZZ. We had 2 successful touch and goes. After 3rd touch and go; my student added power; airplane sped up to rotating speed and we rotated. Moment after lift off; I noticed airplane was [not] generating enough power and barely climbing. By the time I noticed; We were at 100ft AGL and had less than 1000ft remaining runway. I took the control and decided to land on XY; where I didn't get clearance to land; instead of continue climb and make pattern for XXR. I think I should have looked at the RPM gauge and make sure the engine is generating enough power to take off before rotate.

Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.