Background
A pilot was preparing for a personal flight. He had completed the pre-start checklist up to the engine start procedure. During that procedure, the starter system appeared to be malfunctioning. At the time, the nose landing gear was chocked, the brakes were not set, the throttle was set to about one inch, and all electrical switches were off.
Accident Sequence
In an attempt to address the starter issue, the pilot turned the propeller counterclockwise on two separate occasions to see if a different position on the flywheel would make a difference. While he was returning to the cabin, the engine coughed and started inadvertently. The airplane jumped the chock and began to taxi across the airport faster than the pilot could run to catch it. The airplane subsequently struck a runway light, ran over a chain link fence, and collided with trees before coming to a stop.
Damage
The airplane sustained substantial damage. The starter system was not tested after the accident.