What happened
During an attempt to start the engine, the starter failed to engage properly. The pilot exited the aircraft and proceeded to move the propeller by hand. At the time of the incident, two passengers were seated in the rear seats of the plane. Although the transient parking area was equipped with tie down chains, the aircraft had not been secured.
As the pilot turned the propeller, the engine suddenly started. This caused the pilot to fall, and the aircraft began moving at an increasing speed under near full engine power. The runaway aircraft traveled approximately 300 feet, narrowly avoiding two commuter-type airplanes and numerous passengers and bystanders, before finally impacting the side of an unoccupied horse trailer.
Findings
- The pilot had not secured the aircraft using the available tie down chains in the transient parking area.
- The engine started unexpectedly during manual propeller rotation.