Accident Details
On August 20, 2010, at 0920 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, registration N93588, operated by Risk Mondial Aviation Inc., experienced a total loss of engine power while in the traffic pattern at North Perry Airport (HWO) in Hollywood, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The commercial pilot and one passenger reported no injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 and originated from HWO at 0918.
Flight Sequence
The pilot reported conducting a preflight inspection and noted 22.5 gallons of fuel on board at takeoff. No anomalies were observed during engine start, taxi, or engine run-up. The flight departed from runway 27 left. At an altitude of 250 feet above ground level (agl), the engine sputtered and quit. The pilot lowered the nose, and the engine restarted. He made a left turn to avoid a housing complex and entered a left downwind for runway 27 left, maintaining 250 feet agl. When the airplane was abeam mid-field, the engine quit again. The pilot lowered the nose to maintain airspeed and turned toward runway 27 left. The airplane touched down on the last third of the runway and traveled off the end. The nose wheel struck a rut, causing the airplane to nose over and come to rest inverted.
Engine Examination
On August 25, 2010, a Federal Aviation Administration inspector conducted an engine examination. The top spark plugs were removed, and a compression check using a differential compression tool showed all cylinders reading 80/80. A timing check with a timing light indicated timing within plus or minus 2 degrees of manufacturer's specifications. Fuel was present in the gascolator and carburetor. The rocker box covers were removed, and the propeller was rotated by hand, confirming continuity of the crankshaft to the rear accessory gears and valve train. The magnetos were removed and bench tested. All components were reinstalled pending an engine run.
On August 31, 2010, an engine run was conducted with the engine installed. The damaged propeller was replaced with a new one. The engine started, ran at idle, and the throttle was increased to takeoff power. It ran for about two minutes without vibration or loss of power. The throttle was then reduced to idle, and the engine was shut down. The reported loss of engine power could not be determined.