Cessna 152 N89921 accident near Cullman, Alabama

Probable cause

The student pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control after engine start, which resulted in a ground collision with trees.

NTSB analysis

The airplane was parked on the ramp as the student pilot was preparing to conduct a local solo flight. The student reported that he primed the engine four times and opened the throttle 1/4 to 1/2 inch for starting. Once the engine was started, the airplane began to roll, and ramp surveillance video showed the airplane quickly accelerating after the engine was started before it exited from the camera's view. The student stated that the brakes were not effective and that the throttle control would not move. The airplane rolled about 344 ft from where it was parked, struck trees, and sustained substantial damage to the forward portion of the fuselage, left wing, and engine firewall.

Postaccident examination of the airplane, which included a functional check of the brakes, did not reveal any preaccident malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Given the evidence, it is likely that the student was not properly applying the brakes when he started the airplane, which allowed it to move forward after the engine started.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA15LA097 for the full record.