FTW97LA026

The pilot said she knew the starter was 'weak' because the engine had previously been started by turning the propeller by hand. When the pilot and her passenger prepared to depart, the engine would not start. An airport employee, who said 'it's been two or three years' since he had 'propped' an engine, offered to turn the propeller by hand. While hand-propping to start the engine, the propeller struck his head, inflicting a serious injury.

On October 24, 1996, approximately 1615 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-28C-180, N9020J, was not damaged when a third party was struck by its propeller during an attempted start at Sterling, Colorado. The pilot and a passenger were not injured, but the third party sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the proposed personal flight to be conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91.

According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, the starter was "weak," and the engine was started by turning the propeller by hand prior to their departure from Fort Collins. After conducting business in Sterling, the pilot and her passenger returned to the airport and boarded the airplane with the intention of returning to Fort Collins. The starter would not engage when it was energized. Her passenger got out of the airplane with the intention of hand turning the propeller. An airport employee came out of the terminal building, and the passenger asked him if he had ever "propped" an engine. Reportedly, he replied, "It's been two or three years." The employee attempted to turn the propeller by hand. During the attempt to start the engine, the propeller struck his head, inflicting a serious injury.

The victim was interviewed by telephone on November 13, 1996, after he had recovered from his injury. He could not recall any details of the accident.