What happened
The pilot initiated engine start and began preparing for taxi operations from a parking area. While reaching back into his flight case to retrieve a flashlight, he momentarily diverted his attention away from the aircraft's controls. During this interval, the airplane began rolling forward slowly without pilot input.
When the pilot returned his focus to the front of the cockpit, he immediately applied the brakes in an attempt to halt the movement. Despite these efforts, the aircraft did not stop before its propeller made contact with the wing of a parked North American AT-6C, N9530C.
The investigation
The examination focused on the sequence of events leading to the collision. The primary finding was that the pilot's attention was diverted from the aircraft's movement while he retrieved an item from his flight case. This lack of immediate control input allowed the airplane to roll forward unchecked until physical contact occurred with the adjacent aircraft.
Findings
The incident highlights the risks associated with multitasking during critical ground operations. The pilot failed to maintain adequate awareness of the aircraft's position while performing a secondary task. The propeller strike resulted from the uncontrolled forward motion of the airplane during the taxi preparation phase.