Sequence of Events
A pilot hand-propped the engine of an airplane, then boarded and began to taxi. Shortly after, the engine sputtered and stalled. The pilot realized the fuel selector had been left in the off position. He set the parking brake, turned the fuel on, exited the airplane, and hand-propped the engine a second time. The engine started and ran at a high rpm. The airplane moved forward and began spinning in circles. The pilot attempted to re-enter the cockpit, but the door had swung closed, and the airplane struck him, knocking him to the ground. The airplane continued to spin before striking a hangar, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing, and then came to a stop.
Post-Incident Recall
After the incident, the pilot recalled that he had forgotten to retard the throttle before attempting the second engine start. The airplane was not equipped with an electric starter.
Damage Assessment
The collision with the hangar caused substantial damage to the right wing of the airplane.