What happened
The pilot encountered a weak battery and decided to attempt a hand start of the aircraft. To assist with the procedure, the pilot instructed a passenger to hold the brakes. The pilot assumed the passenger understood the task due to the individual's extensive flight time, although this experience was solely in the capacity of a passenger.
When the engine successfully started, the aircraft began to move forward unexpectedly. The pilot attempted to enter the plane to regain control but was unsuccessful in reaching the cockpit in time. During this sequence, the passenger pulled the fuel mixture lever off but failed to apply the brakes as required. Consequently, the uncontrolled aircraft rolled into a hangar and struck another aircraft, N1565.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the ground handling procedures during the hand-start process. It was determined that the lack of immediate brake application by the passenger allowed the aircraft to gain momentum before the engine could be shut down. The collision resulted in damage to both the starting aircraft and the parked N1565.
Findings
The primary contributing factor was the failure to maintain control during a critical ground operation. The pilot's reliance on a passenger who lacked practical experience with brake application proved fatal to safety. The sequence of events highlights the dangers of hand-starting aircraft without adequate crew coordination and immediate braking capability.