Accident Overview
On August 4, 2023, at 1200 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172P, registration N697FL, was substantially damaged in an accident at North Perry Airport (HWO) in Pembroke Pines, Florida. The flight instructor and the front seat passenger sustained fatal injuries, while the rear seat passenger was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight.
The operator reported that the purpose of the flight was an introductory/instructional flight. However, according to family members of the passengers, the flight was intended as a scenic tour of downtown Miami. The flight instructor occupied the right front seat, one passenger occupied the front left seat, and the other passenger occupied the rear seat. Neither passenger held a pilot certificate. There was no luggage on board.
Flight Path and Weather
The airplane departed runway 10R, a 3,255-foot-long by 100-foot-wide asphalt runway. Security camera footage showed the takeoff ground roll and rotation. During initial climb, the pitch increased rapidly, then decreased several seconds later after the airplane reached about 125 feet above ground level. The airplane then began a left descending turn, rolled further left, and descended steeply until impacting terrain on airport property approximately 650 feet northeast of the departure end of the runway.
ADS-B data indicated the airplane's ground speed increased to about 45 knots during the takeoff roll. After a 10-second gap, data resumed showing a ground speed of about 74 knots at 50 feet msl. The highest recorded ground speed was 75 knots before decreasing prior to the left turn and descent.
Wind conditions were fluctuating. About 7 minutes before the accident, the airport surface observation reported wind from 170° at 6 knots, resulting in a headwind component of 2 knots and a right crosswind component of 5.6 knots. About 4 minutes after the accident, the wind shifted to 210° at 9 knots, producing a right crosswind with a tailwind component of about 3 knots. A thunderstorm was reported in the area, but video showed no precipitation or thunderstorm over the airport.
Wreckage and Systems Examination
The airplane impacted the ground in a steep, left-wing-low, nose-down attitude and came to rest upright on a heading of 287° at an elevation of 12 feet. Both wings were impact-separated downward. The wreckage path was compact, and all major components and flight control surfaces remained attached. No postimpact fire occurred.
The fuselage was buckled and deformed through about 50% of the cockpit area, with the most severe damage in the front seat area and floorboards. The engine compartment was significantly compromised, displacing the engine and propeller upward and aft. The empennage remained relatively undamaged from about 2 feet aft of the cabin.
Front seat tracks/rails exhibited impact damage. One track per seat showed a circular latch pin gouge mark with forward and side gouges. No evidence of aft seat slippage was found.
Flight control continuity was confirmed from the cockpit to all control surfaces. A break in the right aileron drive cable showed tensile overload consistent with impact. The elevator trim was found in the 20° trim tab trailing edge up (nose down) position, but the trim jackscrew was impact-damaged. The flap handle was in the UP detent, while the flap indicator was between 10° and 20°, and the flap motor/actuator was in the full retracted position.
Approximately 22 gallons of 100LL aviation fuel were recovered from both tanks. Fuel testing was negative for water, and trace foreign debris was found in the gascolator. The carburetor floats showed hydraulic deformation consistent with fuel presence at impact.
The engine crankshaft rotated freely, and continuity was confirmed on all cylinders and valve train. Both magnetos produced spark. Spark plugs showed normal coloration. The propeller blades exhibited damage consistent with rotation at impact.
Weight and balance calculations indicated the airplane was within its center of gravity and weight limits.
A multi-function display from the wreckage contained no recorded flight, engine, or performance data.
Additional Findings
An autopsy of the flight instructor, performed by the Broward County Medical Examiner, determined the cause of death as multiple blunt force injuries. Toxicology testing by the FAA and the medical examiner was negative for impairing substances, alcohol, and illicit drugs.
The NTSB conducted a video study using airport security camera footage, simulating a Cessna 172P. The study estimated that during takeoff and initial climb, there was a large wing angle of attack (AOA) preceding a bank to the left. Immediately before the left bank, the AOA was estimated at 14.5°. The large AOA was primarily caused by the airplane's pitch angle. When the bank began, ground speed was constant at 61 knots.