ERA26LA221

On May 29, 2026, at 1138 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172P, N96100, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Pembroke Pines, Florida. The flight instructor sustained serious injuries. The student pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. Prior to the accident flight, the airplane was flown 2.9 hours on a separate instructional flight. The student pilot then performed a preflight inspection of the airplane. The training plan for the flight was to practice flight maneuvers in preparation for solo flight operations. After discussing the training plan with the flight instructor, the student pilot retrieved the flight school-specific checklist and started the airplane’s engine. She then contacted air traffic control and was cleared to taxi to runway 28R at North Perry Airport (HWO), Pembroke Pines, Florida. Both pilots reported that an engine runup was conducted and that nothing abnormal was observed. The flight instructor then told the student to perform a short field takeoff. The student pilot then requested and was cleared for takeoff from runway 28R by air traffic control. During the takeoff, both pilots reported that the engine did not sound normal and that the flight instructor took control of the airplane. An airport operations employee reported that he observed the airplane at a low altitude and heard sputtering engine noises. A second witness also observed the airplane at a low altitude, then descending below trees. The second witness rushed to the accident site. The airplane was found inverted at the edge of a drainage pond, about 2,000 ft from the departure end of runway 28R. The witness then noticed a fuel leak in the engine compartment. To secure the airplane, he entered the cockpit, rotated the fuel selector to the off position, turned off the master switch and removed the ignition key. Post accident examination of the wreckage at the accident site by an FAA inspector revealed substantial damage to the airplane’s fuselage, empennage and wings. Fuel was found in both wings and the fuel strainer. The fuel was visually examined and no contaminants were observed. The engine oil dipstick showed 4.5 quarts of oil in the engine. The wreckage was recovered and retained for further examination.