Accident Overview
On October 5, 2019, at 1609 eastern daylight time, a Champion 7ECA, N2561G, was substantially damaged after it impacted marshland in the Florida Everglades near Pembroke Pines, Florida. The flight instructor and the commercial pilot receiving instruction sustained serious injuries. The instructional flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Flight Information
According to the flight instructor, prior to departure he briefed the pilot receiving instruction on the flight plan, which included performing stalls and “falling leaf maneuvers,” followed by landing practice at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport (OPF). The airplane departed North Perry Airport (HWO), Hollywood, Florida, about 1555 and flew west toward a local practice area in the Florida Everglades.
Radar Data
Radar data from the FAA, consistent with the accident airplane’s track, showed the airplane departed HWO and flew westerly at altitudes between 1,500 and 1,800 ft msl. After reaching the Everglades, it continued west and descended to altitudes varying between about 100 and 400 ft. About 3.5 nautical miles west of the shoreline, at an altitude of about 400 ft and groundspeed of about 90 knots, the airplane began a level left turn. During the turn, altitude varied between 400 and 500 ft, groundspeed between 90 and 100 knots. As the airplane completed 180° of turn, radar lost altitude tracking. Radar continued tracking the position for another 1.5 minutes as it flew southeasterly until contact was lost at 1608, about ½-mile southwest of the accident site.
Pilot Statements
The flight instructor reported that during a basic power-off stall demonstration, the pilot receiving instruction “froze on the controls with the elevator in the full up position.” The instructor was unable to overpower him and push the controls forward to break the stall. The pilot did not respond to commands to let go of the controls, resulting in the stalled condition until impact in the Everglades in a slightly nose-low and slightly right-wing-low attitude. The instructor reported no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The commercial pilot was not available for interview due to his injuries and did not respond to subsequent requests.
Toxicology and Personnel Information
Toxicology testing at the FAA Forensic Sciences Laboratory was negative for alcohol and drugs of abuse for both the pilot and flight instructor. The flight instructor held an airline transport pilot certificate with various ratings and reported 15,400 total flight hours, with 2,000 in the same make and model (1,700 as instructor). The pilot receiving instruction held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land and instrument airplane; an undated resume indicated 343 total flight hours.
Wreckage Examination
The wreckage examination revealed the airplane came to rest upright, leaning left and partially submerged. All major components were present. Substantial damage included the left wing separated at the root, right wing partially separated with leading edge damage, and right wing crushed along most of its length.