Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control after an unexplained increase in engine power while taxiing.
NTSB analysis
The private pilot said she was taxiing her single-engine airplane to the active runway when the engine suddenly went to full power. She did not recall any related engine instrument indications and tried to reduce power by moving the throttle control to its idle position, pulling the mixture control aft, and applying the brakes. During this time, the airplane veered off the taxiway, impacted a snow bank, and nosed over, coming to rest on its back, which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe. Examination of the engine found no mechanical anomalies that would explain the sudden increase in engine power. The pilot had 2,000 feet of taxiway remaining from where the airplane departed the runway.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN13CA202 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 17, 2013
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Pontiac, Michigan
- Nearest airport
- Pontiac (PTK)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172L
- N-number
- N7282Q
- 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.