Not that bizarre..I recall reading or hearing about hand-propping incidents at least four times in my short (62) years on this planet. I personally witnessed a near fatal hand-propping incident. In 1978, a newly landed (not saying legal) German immigrant attempted to start a ski-equipped, (straight boards), Taylorcraft on a compacted snow and light (thin) ice covered apron situated "north of 60". After a brisk series of hand propping, the unsecured aeroplane coughed to life and lurched to the right. Somewhat pleased, the pilot grasped the aircraft's port wing strut and proceeded to have the ride of his life, rotating 2 and a-half orbits until he some how managed to scramble into the cockpit and shut off the engine. Hilarious! Yet a huge learning lesson for us both.. It has served me well.
