What happened
On 5 July 2017, a PIEL CP301A, registration G-ASLX, was being prepared for a flight from Mullinahone Airfield, Co. Tipperary, to Sligo Airport. The pilot moved the aircraft from its hangar to begin a manual engine start by hand-swinging the propeller. During this process, the ignition was switched to the 'on' position and the throttle was advanced to a setting higher than usual.
Because the aircraft was not chocked and the brakes were not engaged, the engine's ignition caused the aircraft to begin moving forward immediately upon starting. The aircraft traveled approximately 70 meters across the airfield before striking a ditch and a boundary hedge. The impact caused the aircraft to overturn, leaving it inverted on an electric fence in a neighboring field. A fuel leak occurred during the collision, which likely ignited upon contact with the electric fence, resulting in a post-impact fire that destroyed the aircraft. There were no injuries to the pilot, who followed the moving aircraft on foot.
The investigation
The investigation established that the pilot was attempting to expedite the start procedure due to being in a hurry. The pilot confirmed that the throttle was set too high for a standard start and that the necessary safety measures, such as using wheel chocks and setting the brakes, had been omitted. The investigation also noted that the pilot attempted the hazardous procedure of hand-swinging the propeller without assistance or a second person at the controls.