Preflight and Hand-Starting Attempt
After completing the preflight inspection, the pilot set the parking brake and primed the engine. He then exited the aircraft to hand-start the engine by turning the propeller. No other person was on board to assist with holding the brakes. The pilot turned the propeller, and the engine started. He re-entered the cabin and placed his feet on the rudder pedals. Shortly thereafter, the engine stopped.
Second Hand-Starting Attempt
The pilot exited the airplane again and hand-propped it a second time. The engine started, and the airflow from the propeller blew the entry door shut. The airplane then began to move forward. The pilot was unable to re-enter the airplane to apply the brakes.
Collision and Damage
The left wing of the airplane collided with a hangar located about 100 feet away. The impact spun the nose of the airplane into the hangar. The left wing was pushed rearward into the fuselage. Both the left wing and the fuselage sustained substantial damage.
Pilot's Comments
In a post-accident statement, the pilot noted that he did not recheck the parking brake after placing his feet on the controls. He also remarked that the accident might have been prevented if he had returned to step one of his hand-start checklist.