Recognising engine issues in flight following a bird strike by C.Gray 2023 Damage to the propeller If there is a sudden imbalance/shaking from the engine, and any RPM adjustment has little effect on the vibration, the most likely reason is propeller damage. S olution: The engine may need to be stopped, to prevent further damage to the engine mounting integrity. You may be able to find an RPM where resonance is the least though, thereby retaining some power. Engine induction air intake blockage An engine sucks air in through a filtered inlet, called the induction intake. An engine induction intake blockage will probably cause an immediate step loss of power, and could lead to a gradual continuation of loss of power, until the engine is incapable of proper combustion. The resulting overly rich mixture in the cylinders may cause associated backfiring, and potentially a fuel smell in the cockpit at low speed as the unburnt fuel exits the exhaust pipe. Remedy: Provide another indu...