Accident Overview
On 4 March 2019, at 1027 UTC, a private pilot flying a DHC-1 Chipmunk 22 (registration G-BXHF) sustained serious injuries at Redhill Airfield, Surrey. The aircraft was not damaged. The pilot held an Airline Transport Pilot Licence, was 55 years old, and had 16,883 total flying hours, including 167 hours on type. He had flown 107 hours in the last 90 days and 31 hours in the last 28 days.
Flight History
The pilot planned to fly the aircraft to Solent Airport, Hampshire, for its annual inspection. He made two failed attempts to start the engine, each time priming the engine by rotating the propeller by hand. After the second attempt, he left the cockpit to prime the engine a third time. When he rotated the propeller, the engine kicked over and struck his hand, causing serious injuries.
Aftermath
A doctor and paramedic from the resident air ambulance provided immediate assistance. The pilot was later flown to a specialist trauma hospital, where he stayed for 10 days. Subsequent investigation revealed that before the third prime, the pilot had not turned the magnetos off. He could not explain this omission.
No other factors were identified. The aircraft had no reported defects, and the pilot's experience was appropriate for the flight.