Incident Overview
According to the pilot, following a preflight inspection, he attempted to start the engine using the electrical starter but was unable to get the engine to turn over. He then turned the magnetos to the off position and exited the airplane to "turn the prop through," with no intention of hand-propping the engine. When the pilot rotated the propeller by hand, the engine started and the airplane immediately began moving forward. He attempted to re-enter the airplane but could not stop it before it impacted an airport building.
A passenger seated in the front right seat was able to evacuate the airplane after the collision with the building. The pilot noted that he should have chocked the wheels, but he was not planning on starting the engine.
Post-Accident Observations
The airport manager, who responded within minutes after the accident, observed the ignition key selected to the left magneto and then turned the key off during the post-accident emergency response. The manager also reported that the throttle was in the full forward position and the mixture was in the full rich position.
Examination Findings
A post-accident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration Aviation Safety Inspector found no anomalies with the ignition wiring system or magneto P-leads. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage.