Incident Summary
A pilot attempted to hand prop the engine of his airplane while his wife, a non-pilot, was seated in the right front seat. According to his statement, the pilot set the park brake before exiting the aircraft. After three attempts, the engine started. The pilot then tried to stop the airplane by pushing against the leading edge of the right wing, but was unsuccessful. The airplane accelerated across the ramp and collided with another Piper airplane, which subsequently struck a Cessna 172.
Sequence of Events
The pilot described setting the park brake and exiting the airplane. He made multiple attempts to start the engine by hand propping. On the third attempt, the engine started. The pilot attempted to halt the airplane's movement by pushing against the leading edge of the right wing, but the airplane continued to accelerate. It traveled across the ramp and collided with a parked Piper airplane. The impact caused the Piper to strike a nearby Cessna 172.
Recommendations
According to the FAA Flight Training Handbook, it is recommended that an engine never be hand propped unless a qualified person thoroughly familiar with the operation of all controls is seated at the controls and the brakes are set. This guidance emphasizes the importance of having a competent individual ready to control the aircraft during hand propping.