DA-40 flight instructors reported pitot static system malfunction inflight.
Synopsis
DA-40 flight instructors reported pitot static system malfunction inflight.
Narrative
After taking off out of ZZZ; we noticed an abnormally low air speed. Pilot not flying immediately turned on pitot heat to try and troubleshoot the issue. We continued to climb and follow atc directions but airspeed was still abnormally slow. While climbing at 5° pitch with flaps up at 1000 AGL airspeed indicator was still reading 67kts. After reaching 3000 feet indicated on the Alitmeter and leveling off. We reduced power to 75% for cruise checklist and the ASI slowly climbed up to 140. At this point the alitmeter started to feel a bit off with how high we were relative to clouds reported at 1300' AGL. Decided to run the QRH and use Alternate Static. Did not note much of a difference or signs of improvement so pilot not flying called ATC and asked to return to ZZZ. While getting verctored for Runway XXL ATC asked us to maintain VFR. We climbed to 4000 to stay above clouds/smoke from a factory. ATC asked us to report altitude which we responded 3900' and ATC advised us we were reporting 3000' and to begin our left base. Once on ground altimeter read field elevation.
Second reporter narrative
Cleared for takeoff runway XXL out of ZZZ. We were cleared with a left turn to heading 140. After rotating; both pilots noticed potential erroneous readings from the airspeed indicator and altimeter. Pilot flying continued climb out while pilot monitoring ran the QRH checklist and began informing ATC of the situation. Pilot monitoring requested a return back to ZZZ which was approved followed by vectors to runway XXL from ATC. Pilot monitoring opened alternate static to help sustain accurate instrument readings. ATC vectored us to a left base for runway XXL and instructed us to contact tower. ZZZ tower cleared us to land for runway XXL. Pilot flying landed safely with an exit on taxiway 1.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.