Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's improper positioning of the throttle, while hand propping the aircraft engine, and his failure to either obtain proper assistance or properly secure the airplane.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The accident occurred while the pilot was hand propping the engine after it had flooded. The magnetos were on and the throttle was open. The engine started, and the airplane traveled (unoccupied) into a garage type building on the airstrip.
Source record
Factual narrative
On June 14, 1996, at 0730 eastern daylight time, a Mitchell T Champabria, N96RM, collided with a building and a vehicle while being hand propped in preparation for takeoff at the Austin Lake Airport, Kalamazoo, Michigan. There was no one in the airplane at the time of the collision. The pilot who was outside the airplane hand propping it received serious injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that he flooded the engine during the initial starting attempt. He was hand propping the engine with the magnetos on and the throttle open. The engine started and the airplane traveled into the side of a garage type building on the airstrip. The airplane reportedly damaged a vehicle which was parked inside the building. The pilot reported on NTSB Form 6120.1/2, that he should have closed the throttle before hand propping the engine. -