PLT OF A COMMUTER SMT ATTEMPTED TO START THE WRONG ENG. HE HAD GIVEN HAND SIGNALS TO GND PERSONNEL TO CLR THE #2 ENG; BUT THEN BEGAN TO START THE #1 ENG. FO AND RAMP AGENT WERE SEVERAL FT FROM THE ROTATING PROP. RPTR CITES FATIGUE.

Narrative

PAX HAD COMPLETED ENPLANING THROUGH THE AIRSTAIR DOOR; AND THE FO WAS AT THE BASE OF THE AIRSTAIR DOOR COMPLETING THE WT AND BAL FORM. I MADE EYE CONTACT FROM THE COCKPIT WITH THE RAMP AGENT AND GAVE HIM THE SIGNAL TO START THE #2 ENG. HE ACKNOWLEDGED; AND I PROCEEDED WITH THE ENG START. I ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE START BUTTON FOR THE #1 ENG (BUTTONS ARE ABOUT 1 INCH APART; UNLABELED). THE FO AND RAMP AGENT WERE SEVERAL FT FROM THE TURNING PROP; AND WERE UNINJURED. AS SOON AS I REALIZED THAT I HAD INITIATED THE START ON THE WRONG ENG; I ABORTED THE START PRIOR TO 10% RPM; BEFORE FUEL FLOW AND IGNITION HAD COMMENCED. THIS HAS NEVER OCCURRED BEFORE OR SINCE TO ME WHILE ACTING AS PIC. THIS WAS MY TENTH LEG OF THE DAY (AND LAST) AND I HAD FLOWN NINE LEGS AND 6.9 HRS UP TO THAT POINT. THE ONLY EXCUSE FOR MAKING THIS TYPE OF MISTAKE IS FATIGUE. I WAS TIRED. MY FIX FOR THIS IS THE FOLLOWING: GET THE BEST REST POSSIBLE PRIOR TO GOING TO WORK; AND BE VERY DELIBERATE WHEN ENGAGING THE START OF EITHER ENG.