Incident Overview
A pilot attempted to start an airplane by hand-propping the engine after discovering the battery was dead. To prevent the airplane from moving, the pilot tied down the tail section using a brass snap-hook attached to a rope secured to the ground. The snap-hook connected to a metal fastener under the tail.
Actions Taken
Before beginning the hand-propping procedure, the pilot set the parking brake and confirmed the throttle position. However, the wheels were not secured with chocks. The engine started on the third attempt, and the engine RPM increased as the pilot walked back toward the cockpit.
Sequence of Events
As the pilot approached the cockpit, the brass snap-hook broke. The airplane then began to roll forward. The pilot was unable to reach the cockpit in time, and the airplane traveled unattended until it collided with a parked airplane. The collision resulted in substantial damage to the right wing of the moving airplane.
Damage Assessment
The incident caused substantial damage to the right wing of the airplane that was being hand-propped. No information about damage to the parked airplane or other property was provided.