Probable cause
The pilot’s loss of directional control during engine start.
NTSB analysis
The student pilot reported that upon engine startup for a local solo flight the airplane “almost immediately pivoted to the left.” The airplane impacted a two support beams of the shade hangar it was parked under, substantially damaging the left wing. The pilot reported that the parking brake was set when the engine was started and that his feet were on the brakes. A witness reported that the airplane “started up with what sounded like an excessively high RPM.” Postaccident inspection of the throttle, toe brake, and parking brake system by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector found no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA23LA085 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Dec 12, 2022
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Knoxville, Tennessee
- Nearest airport
- Knoxville Downtown Island (DKX)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172
- N-number
- N783SF
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2001
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
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.