NTSB Factual Report

On December 16, 2017, about 1320 eastern standard time, a Cessna 152, N95550, experienced a total loss of engine power and impacted terrain prior to the runway at Oasis Ranger Station – US Government Airport (9FL7), Everglades City, Florida. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the two private pilots were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Flying Academy Miami as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed for the flight. The flight originated at Miami Executive Airport (TMB), Miami, Florida, and was destined for Venice Municipal Airport (VNC), Venice, Florida.

According to the pilot flying, they departed TMB and climbed to a cruise altitude of 4,500 ft mean sea level (msl). He reduced the engine power, leaned the mixture, and approximately 5 minutes later, the engine lost total power. He declared an emergency and elected to try to land at 9FL7, which was nearby, and began attempting to restart the engine. The airplane continued to descend, they entered the base leg of the traffic pattern, and he "secured the cockpit for landing," by leaning the mixture, pulling the throttle fully aft, turning the carburetor heat off, and the electrical equipment off. According to the pilot not flying, while on final approach to the runway, they unsuccessfully attempted to restart the engine "one last time," but the propeller "only spun three times and then stopped." While on short final, the airplane struck an airport perimeter fence prior to impacting the ground just short of the runway.

The airplane came to rest upright in a grassy area. An examination of the airplane revealed that the fuselage was substantially damaged. In addition, the landing gear were impact damaged aft. The engine was retained for further examination.