Pilot struck by propeller after forgetting to remove tie-down (N67334)

What happened

The pilot-in-command initiated engine start but realized during the preflight inspection that he had neglected to remove a tie-down strap from the left wing. He reduced the throttle to idle and exited the airplane. After walking to the front of the leading edge of the left wing to remove the restraint, he turned to his left and walked directly into the rotating propeller.

The investigation

The incident involved fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's failure to complete the preflight checklist properly. The aircraft was a Cessna 172S with registration N12345. No mechanical failures were reported prior to the event.