Probable cause
The pilot's failure to ensure the airplane was secured prior to attempting an engine start by handpropping.
NTSB analysis
When the pilot attempted to start the engine, the starter motor turned, but the starter did not engage. The pilot said he turned off the battery master switch, exited the airplane, and walked around to the front of the airplane. He reached through the door and thought the ignition key was off. He pushed the propeller down through one compression stroke. The engine immediately started. The pilot jumped on the left wing, but fell off. The airplane traveled across the ramp and struck a ditch between runways 28R and 28L, breaking off the nose gear and buckling the firewall. Postaccident examination disclosed the ignition switch functioned normally.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN13CA093 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Dec 6, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Eden Prairie, Minnesota
- Nearest airport
- Flying Cloud (KFCM)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cirrus SR22
- N-number
- N8161M
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.