Narrative:

After completing the before start checklist but prior to completing the weight and balance paperwork; I asked the first officer if the number two engine was clear. She confirmed it was clear and I requested permission to start the number two engine from the ramp agent. He pointed to the number two engine and gave the engine start signal. A normal start was completed. The first officer completed the weight and balance form while I completed the cg. The first officer signed the paperwork and handed it to the flight attendant who closed the cabin door. I looked out to the ramp agent and requested permission to start the number one engine. The ramp agent pointed to the number one engine and gave me the start engine signal. I began to start the number one engine. After a normal engine start; the flight attendant began to rapidly knock on the flight deck door. As soon as the door was opened I heard the engine noise in the cabin and realized that the cabin door was still open. I immediately shut the number one engine down. I again looked up at the warning lights and did not see the passenger door light on. It was not until I moved my hand to block the incoming sun light that I was able to see the warning light. The event occurred due to an environmental issue. The aircraft was parked roughly facing to the west/south west. The sun was still low on the horizon and shining through the first officer's side window and onto the warning/caution panel. As I scanned the warning lights I did not realize the sun was causing the passenger door light to be unreadable. Had I seen the passenger door light on; I would not have requested permission to start the engine. According to the flight attendant; while the first officer and I were completing the weight and balance; the gate agent removed and stowed the prop tie. He then proceeded to walk away from the aircraft. When we completed the paper work and handed it to the flight attendant; there was no one by the door to give the paper work to; nor was there anyone to help her close the door. Once we began starting the engine; she moved away from the door and began knocking on the flight deck door. I do not know why the ramp agent gave me the ok to start the engine with the door open. After shutting the engine down; gate agent came back up to the aircraft and took the paper work from the flight attendant. The gate agent stated that he thought someone else had already collected the paper work. The door was closed and the engine was restarted. The remainder of the flight was uneventful.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A DHC-8 Captain started the left engine with the passenger door still open.

Narrative: After completing the before start checklist but prior to completing the weight and balance paperwork; I asked the First Officer if the number two engine was clear. She confirmed it was clear and I requested permission to start the number two engine from the Ramp Agent. He pointed to the number two engine and gave the engine start signal. A normal start was completed. The First Officer completed the weight and balance form while I completed the CG. The First Officer signed the paperwork and handed it to the Flight Attendant who closed the cabin door. I looked out to the Ramp Agent and requested permission to start the number one engine. The ramp agent pointed to the number one engine and gave me the start engine signal. I began to start the number one engine. After a normal engine start; the Flight Attendant began to rapidly knock on the flight deck door. As soon as the door was opened I heard the engine noise in the cabin and realized that the cabin door was still open. I immediately shut the number one engine down. I again looked up at the warning lights and did not see the passenger door light on. It was not until I moved my hand to block the incoming sun light that I was able to see the warning light. The event occurred due to an environmental issue. The aircraft was parked roughly facing to the west/south west. The sun was still low on the horizon and shining through the First Officer's side window and onto the warning/caution panel. As I scanned the warning lights I did not realize the sun was causing the passenger door light to be unreadable. Had I seen the passenger door light on; I would not have requested permission to start the engine. According to the Flight Attendant; while the First Officer and I were completing the weight and balance; the Gate Agent removed and stowed the prop tie. He then proceeded to walk away from the aircraft. When we completed the paper work and handed it to the Flight Attendant; there was no one by the door to give the paper work to; nor was there anyone to help her close the door. Once we began starting the engine; she moved away from the door and began knocking on the flight deck door. I do not know why the Ramp Agent gave me the OK to start the engine with the door open. After shutting the engine down; Gate Agent came back up to the aircraft and took the paper work from the Flight Attendant. The Gate Agent stated that he thought someone else had already collected the paper work. The door was closed and the engine was restarted. The remainder of the flight was uneventful.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.