Yeah, OK, I will leave the Saab comment out of it. No offense intended.
On the smaller ones I have seen, when the person let go, they were in feather still and they had plenty of time to let go with out issue.
I really do wonder what damage was being done with hot spots and particularly on light up, my gut feeling is a lot of damage was being done but I am no expert of course.
Also, a dash 20, 27 or 34 on start up, if the prop tie was on, it would rip it off. Although I never saw it happen, I have seen several planes where the metal clip dented the fuse skin. I am guessing, but may be bear hugging the end of the prop gives you enough leverage?