Incident Details
A pilot had rented an airplane for a personal flight to Kitty Hawk. After landing, the master switch was inadvertently left in the 'ON' position while the pilot and his passengers were sightseeing. When they returned, the battery was too weak to start the engine.
Assistance and Attempted Start
Since there were no services at the airstrip, a local air tour pilot agreed to assist with hand starting the engine. According to the pilot, he was instructed to place the master switch in the 'ON' position. Several attempts to start the engine were unsuccessful.
Sequence of Events
The assisting pilot came to the cockpit door to verify that the master switch was in the 'ON' position. The pilot asked where the ignition switch should be, and was told it should be in the 'START' position. When the propeller was next moved, the engine started, and the propeller struck the assisting pilot, breaking his hand.
Injuries
The assisting pilot sustained a broken hand from the propeller strike.
Probable Cause
No probable cause was stated in the source.