Accident Overview
On July 13, 2017, at about 2320 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172M, registration N80457, was substantially damaged during a forced landing to a road near Key Biscayne, Florida. The flight instructor was not injured, and the private pilot receiving instruction sustained minor injuries. The flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Miami Executive Airport (TMB), Miami, Florida, about 2055.
Flight Details
According to the flight instructor, during the preflight inspection, both fuel tanks were visually inspected and checked using a dipstick, each containing about 15 gallons. The flight departed TMB with the fuel selector on the "both" position. The aircraft flew to Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE), where the private pilot executed a practice instrument approach that terminated with a full-stop landing. The airplane remained on the ground for about 15-18 minutes with the engine operating, then departed to Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) for another practice instrument approach that ended with a missed approach and holding practice. About 2215, the flight instructor elected to return to TMB and requested visual flight rules flight following from air traffic control. The flight proceeded south, east to the coast, then south along the shoreline.
Engine Failure and Forced Landing
While flying near Key Biscayne with the engine operating between 2,300 and 2,350 rpm, the mixture control full rich, and the fuel selector on the same position as initial takeoff (both), the engine sputtered for about 2-3 seconds, lost power, then increased briefly to 1,500 rpm before losing power again. The private pilot reported the left and right fuel gauges indicated in the lower red arc and between 1/4 and 1/2 capacity, respectively. Attempts to restore engine power included moving the fuel selector to each tank position and checking the magnetos, but power was not restored. The flight instructor declared an emergency with the controller and requested emergency equipment. During the forced landing descent to a road, the airplane collided with tree branches, then a light pole, and came to rest within 25 to 30 feet of the touchdown point on the road.
Post-Accident Examination
According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, there was no evidence of fuel leakage or a breach of either fuel tank. Less than 1 gallon of fuel was drained from the left fuel tank, while about 10 gallons were drained from the right fuel tank. The airplane was recovered for further examination. After recovery, examination revealed that the right fuel tank strainer, part number 0422130, was nearly completely blocked by organic material.