Piper PA-28R-200 N746R accident near San Diego, California

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.

NTSB analysis

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.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR12LA085 for the full record.