What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
(.4) The aircraft was parked on the ramp and the pilot unsuccessfully attempted to start the airplane's engine due to the cold temperature. He exited the airplane to turn the propeller to loosen it without intending to start it. He neglected to turn of the magnetos. The engine started and the pilot was struck in the head and the right elbow by the propeller. According to an excerpt from the starting section of the 1959 PA-24-250 airplane flight manual, 'when the engine is cold (under 40 degrees f.), prime three to five strokes; if extremely cold, pull the propeller through by hand four to six times before turning on the key ignition to 'left' and engaging the starter button.'
As the FAA filed it
(.4) THE AIRCRAFT WAS PARKED ON THE RAMP AND THE PILOT UNSUCCESSFULLY ATTEMPTED TO START THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE DUE TO THE COLD TEMPERATURE. HE EXITED THE AIRPLANE TO TURN THE PROPELLER TO LOOSEN IT WITHOUT INTENDING TO START IT. HE NEGLECTED TO TURN OF THE MAGNETOS. THE ENGINE STARTED AND THE PILOT WAS STRUCK IN THE HEAD AND THE RIGHT ELBOW BY THE PROPELLER. ACCORDING TO AN EXCERPT FROM THE STARTING SECTION OF THE 1959 PA-24-250 AIRPLANE FLIGHT MANUAL, 'WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD (UNDER 40 DEGREES F.), PRIME THREE TO FIVE STROKES; IF EXTREMELY COLD, PULL THE PROPELLER THROUGH BY HAND FOUR TO SIX TIMES BEFORE TURNING ON THE KEY IGNITION TO 'LEFT' AND ENGAGING THE STARTER BUTTON.'
NTSB investigation
The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.