Accident Details
On December 2, 2020, about 0751 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-38, N2420F, was substantially damaged when it struck an airport perimeter fence and nosed over at North Perry Airport (HWO), Pembroke Pines, Florida. The flight instructor and student pilot were not injured. The airplane was being operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight.
Preflight and Flight Sequence
According to the flight instructor, the purpose of the flight was to fly in the airport traffic pattern with the student pilot. A preflight inspection was performed, including fuel sampling from the tanks, with no anomalies noted. After several takeoffs and landings in the traffic pattern, the instructor's fuel timer indicated it was time to switch fuel tanks from the left to the right tank during a downwind leg. A go-around procedure was executed. On the upwind leg, a strong smell of something burning was noticed.
The instructor scanned the instruments and observed that the carbon monoxide detector was black, indicating high carbon monoxide levels. At that time, the airplane was at 400 ft mean sea level. The student pilot began a turn to the crosswind leg, during which the instructor noticed a lack of engine power. The instructor assumed control, verified the mixture control was full rich, and moved the throttle lever without engine response. He declared an emergency, turned back toward the airport, and attempted multiple engine restarts, which were unsuccessful. The airplane then struck the perimeter fence, nosed over, and came to rest inverted, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and empennage. Both occupants egressed.
Maintenance History
Maintenance records indicated an annual inspection was completed on August 18, 2020, at a total time of 4,930.07 hours. On November 30, 2020, a new engine-driven fuel pump was installed at a total time of 4,940.3 hours.
Wreckage Examination
Post-accident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that fuel leaked from the airplane while inverted, the fuel tanks were breached, and the gascolator was impact-separated. The left and right wet wing tanks were clean, with inspection plate seals in good condition and no evidence of leakage. Fuel cap seals were also in good condition with proper sealing. The cockpit fuel selector switch operated normally.
Continuity of throttle and mixture controls was confirmed. All cylinders had compression. Magnetos showed no timing anomalies. The air filter and induction system were without anomalies. The gascolator, damaged on impact, contained no fuel but had dried brown/orange corrosion staining at the bowl bottom. The electric fuel pump was operational; removal of the lower drain cap revealed brown/orange water contamination and corrosion. Brown/orange dust and contaminated water were found in the carburetor fuel bowl and at the bottom of the engine-driven fuel pump.
Examination of the electrical system in the engine compartment and behind the cockpit panel showed no signs of overheating or burning.