Incident Overview
During banner towing operations, an aircraft was stopped adjacent to the runway while the pilot switched the tow hook to continue the banner towing operation. The banner handling personnel were positioned approximately one-quarter mile down the runway.
The pilot was in the process of starting the engine by hand-propping, as the airplane was not equipped with an electric starting system. No chocks were present in the aircraft to brake the wheels, and the throttle was partially advanced.
Sequence of Events
Once the engine started, the aircraft taxied away from the pilot. It subsequently collided with a ditch, resulting in substantial damage to the aircraft.
Damage
The aircraft sustained substantial damage in the collision with the ditch.