Here's a couple of links (below) to the 30th Aug, 1955 runaway Auster story, as related by Megan. The Auster belonged to the Kingsford Smith Flying School.
This civilian Auster Archer was C/N 2072, rego VH-AET, formerly G-AIJP.
The Auster pilot was a newbie and lacking experience, and he killed the engine upon landing. Ray Bakers comments, below, elaborate greatly on the reasons for this runaway.
The newbie pilot, Anthony Thrower, braked to a halt and decided to jump out and hand-prop it, whilst apparently still on the runway.
What is even more incredible, after firing up and getting away from the pilot, the Auster apparently did a full 180 deg turn and came back towards him!
What is even more intriguing as regards the Auster story, is that Ray Baker alludes to a previously un-noted attempt to board the Auster, via the RAC of NSW's, DH-84 Dragon!
I am presuming this was an air-to-air boarding attempt, not a runway boarding attempt.
It says a lot for the Austers basic flying stability, that it took off and flew so perfectly for 3 hours.
Somewhat amusingly, upon the return of the Sea Furies successful "kill" mission, the ground crews promptly rushed out and painted the profile of an Auster "kill", each side of the Sea Furies!
HARS - The Amazing 1955 Runaway Auster
The ARGUS - The 'plane that took off by itself
Ray Bakers comments from the Auster J4 (UK) website ...
RAY BAKER - A few comments about this (Auster Archer) incident.
The Blackburn Cirrus Minor 1 engine was susceptible to stopping during the landing roll, dependent on atmospheric conditions.
KSFS had a rigid requirement that in such an eventuality, the solo pilot should turn the aircraft to 90 degrees to the landing path, exit the aircraft, stand next to it and wait for assistance. (No radios fitted to almost all training aircraft in those days.)
The following information relates to what was considered to be the ‘probable cause’.
This individual saw fit not to follow the School’s procedure. As the engine ran down, he advanced the throttle to try and ‘catch’ the engine, but could not. Having decided to restart the engine alone, he leaned in to the cabin and pulled on the hand-brake, which, without full depression of the heel-brakes, only took up cable-slack. The brakes were not on, so did NOT fail. He then set the throttle for start, not an inch open from closed, but an inch open from full throttle, where it had been left following his attempt to prevent the engine stopping during the landing-roll.
Had the throttle been correctly set for start, the aircraft would never have been able to take-off. At worst, it would probably have rolled across the airfield until it hit something, or the boundary fence!
Also, there is more to the attempts to possibly board (yes, from the Royal Aero Club of NSW DH84 Dragon!!!) or shoot down the Archer than related here. A comedy of errors indeed. It is fortuitous that nobody was injured, although a lot of egos were.