Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Total 392; Flight Crew Type 280
Situational Awareness
Ground Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Ground Event / Encounter Object
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control
Human Factors
I had no intention of flying the plane. I was never near the runway or taxiways. As part of my protocol to keep my engine in good working order when the plane is not being flown on a regular basis; I pull the plane onto the apron/ramp in front of the hangar and start the engine. Once the engine has warmed up and is running smoothly; I shut the plane down and return it to the hangar.On [this day] I pulled the plane out parallel to the hangar row; followed my startup checklist and started the plane. As soon as the key was turned in the ignition; the engine roared to life. I was thrown back in my seat by the sudden forward motion of the plane. I attempted to reposition my feet on both brake pedals; but as my plane moved; it veered closer to an approximately 150' long hangar building on my left. I tried to steer the plane with the pedals while I went through a process of shutting off the engine.The plane continued to accelerate. The left wing tip began scraping the hangars. The engine continued to run with what sounded like full throttle. I felt the plane take a slight airborne hop. I considered my options. There were fuel tanks on my right; a drop off to uneven soft grass beyond the tanks. Straight ahead were buildings and to the left beyond the hangars was the eight foot airport security fence. The propeller torque and the dragging left wing began to pull me into the metal hangar siding; although I don't know what control I had anyway at this point. I spun around to a stop. I had hit the last hangar in the row on my left; with no likely safe outcome beyond this point. The nose dented in the siding of the hangar and the propeller was badly damaged. As the plane swung around; the right wing tip was damaged as it struck the hangar.
The pilot of a C172 reported a loss of control when the engine was started; which resulted in collision with nearby hangers.