Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to turn the magneto switch to the off position before moving the propeller to start the engine by hand.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The passenger reported that he and the pilot were both seated in the airplane when the pilot made three unsuccessful attempts to start the engine. The pilot told the passenger to “get out, I need to jump it.” The passenger got out of the airplane and was walking away when he heard a noise. When he looked back toward the front of the airplane, he saw the pilot lying on the ground below the propeller. The airplane’s engine was not running. Postaccident examination revealed that the magneto switch was in the both position. It is likely that the pilot moved the propeller, and because the magnetos were in a ready-to-start condition, this resulted in a spark plug firing, which caused the propeller to turn rapidly and strike the pilot.
Source record
Factual narrative
On January 30, 2012, about 0830 Pacific standard time, the pilot of Piper PA-28R-200, N746R, was struck by the airplane’s propeller during engine start at Gillespie Field Airport, San Diego, California. He was fatally injured, and his passenger was not injured. There was no damage to the airplane. The airplane was registered to, and operated by, the private pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the planned personal cross-country flight, which was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot was preparing for a flight to Bermuda Dunes, California. The passenger stated that they were seated in the airplane when the pilot made three unsuccessful attempts to start the engine. He told the passenger “get out, I need to jump it.” The passenger got out of the airplane and was walking away when he heard a noise. When he looked back towards the front of the airplane, he saw the pilot lying on the ground below the propeller. The airplane’s engine was not running. Federal Aviation Administration inspectors responded to the scene of the accident and reported that photographs of the cockpit taken immediately after the accident by a local law enforcement officer showed that the magneto switch was in the both position, the mixture control was full forward (rich), the propeller control was full forward, the throttle control was about 1/4 travel forward, and the master switch was off.