Small Aircraft; High Wing; 1 Eng; Fixed Gear
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 30.1; Flight Crew Total 233.3; Flight Crew Type 12.5
Workload; Training / Qualification; Situational Awareness; Confusion
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Ground Event / Encounter Object
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors; Procedure
I had a private pilot man the brakes; throttle; and mags while I propped the airplane. Then I jumped into the plane; took the brakes; and he jumped out. I did 5 takeoff and landings. I then taxied the plane to the south side of the fuel tank. I then turned the plane off put a chalk on the right wheel; attached the ground wire to the exhaust and refueled the plane. After removing the ground wire; ladder; and fuel pump I left the airplane's right wheel chalked and I was going to start the plane to taxi it to parking as I was done for the day. I turned ON the mags and cracked the throttle and I propped the plane myself. I then went to get into the plane but it started to roll and I tried to hold it still. It rolled despite my efforts and the right wing tip hit a light pole and the plane turned to the north (or right) running into a cement bunker that protects the full tank. The prop was hitting the cement wall; stopping the plane. I caught up to the plane turned OFF the mags; closed the throttle; and turned OFF the fuel switch to the tanks. Fortunately; no persons were injured; as there was nobody on the field except for me. The prop was bent at each end; left wheel strut was bent; and there is a dent in the fabric of the right wing tip. I then called the Airport Manager; who had me put cones around the plane until he would arrive. Photographs were taken of the plane against the cement bunker; and the damage to the plane. I then contacted the owner of the plane who I rent from to come see the plane. She was happy that neither I nor nobody else was hurt and stated 'we'll get it fixed.' After establishing that the left wheel strut was not going to collapse; which we used several safety straps as an extra security and support; and with two other we were able to safely push the plane to a tie down spot. The image continually ran through my mind all night. I have seen many people around the airfield self prop their own plane. Prior to this I have always been in the plane while some one else propped; or I had a pilot in the plane while I propped. In hindsight breaking my own protocol was not the wise thing to do. Self propping is very dangerous. This will be a very expensive lesson. It has also brought up one of my primary safety goals; which is to not be in a hurry. It would have taken me 30 extra seconds to walk into the FBO and find a pilot friend to either help me push the plane or pilot the plane or prop the plane while I piloted it. In the future; when flying airplanes that require hand propping; I will always have another pilot to ensure the safety of others and property.
A pilot self-propped his tailwheel aircraft after fueling it; but the wheel chock was not sufficient to contain the aircraft which then taxied into a light pole and was stopped by the concrete bunker protecting the fuel farm.