What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
(-23) Aircraft had sat outside during cold weather, (15 degrees f). Pilot ran battery down trying to start the aircraft. The magnetos and master were turned off while ground person set up for hand propping the aircraft. While turning the prop during set up, the propeller snapped back striking him on the head. Ground person suffered fractured skull.
As the FAA filed it
(-23) AIRCRAFT HAD SAT OUTSIDE DURING COLD WEATHER, (15 DEGREES F). PILOT RAN BATTERY DOWN TRYING TO START THE AIRCRAFT. THE MAGNETOS AND MASTER WERE TURNED OFF WHILE GROUND PERSON SET UP FOR HAND PROPPING THE AIRCRAFT. WHILE TURNING THE PROP DURING SET UP, THE PROPELLER SNAPPED BACK STRIKING HIM ON THE HEAD. GROUND PERSON SUFFERED FRACTURED SKULL.
NTSB investigation
The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.