Narrative:

We had completed the weight and balance data; and had handed the load manifest out of the door. I called for the before start checklist below the line. As we worked through the checklist items; we passed through the cabin secure items and doors; and unfortunately I did not adequately think about the checklist items as we discussed them. I gave the signal to release the prop brake to the ground crew; who replied that the engine was clear. I then released the prop brake; and gave the signal to remove the chocks. The ground crew removed the chocks; and I then asked for clearance to start engine 1. The ground crew gave me the clear to start signal; and I started engine 1. I then moved into the after start flow; and glanced up to see the ground crew giving the shutdown signal for engine 1. I glanced up at the overhead panel and noticed that the passenger door was still open. I immediately shut down engine 1 and called the flight attendant; who said that she was just finishing up the cabin. She closed the door; and I then re-cleared the engine with the ground crew and started engine 1 again. The rest of the flight progressed normally.this was the result of inattention and complacency on my part. Though I had called for the checklist items; I was not adequately paying attention to the responses I was giving; instead falling back on rote replies to the checklist challenge items and not giving each item the required attention. I deeply regret the error and will endeavor to pay closer attention to what each checklist item says.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: ATR 42 Captain reported that time pressure resulted in an engine start with the cabin door open; in violation of SOP.

Narrative: We had completed the weight and balance data; and had handed the load manifest out of the door. I called for the before start checklist below the line. As we worked through the checklist items; we passed through the Cabin secure items and doors; and unfortunately I did not adequately think about the checklist items as we discussed them. I gave the signal to release the prop brake to the ground crew; who replied that the engine was clear. I then released the prop brake; and gave the signal to remove the chocks. The ground crew removed the chocks; and I then asked for clearance to start engine 1. The ground crew gave me the clear to start signal; and I started engine 1. I then moved into the after start flow; and glanced up to see the ground crew giving the shutdown signal for engine 1. I glanced up at the overhead panel and noticed that the passenger door was still open. I immediately shut down engine 1 and called the Flight Attendant; who said that she was just finishing up the cabin. She closed the door; and I then re-cleared the engine with the ground crew and started engine 1 again. The rest of the flight progressed normally.This was the result of inattention and complacency on my part. Though I had called for the checklist items; I was not adequately paying attention to the responses I was giving; instead falling back on rote replies to the checklist challenge items and not giving each item the required attention. I deeply regret the error and will endeavor to pay closer attention to what each checklist item says.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.