That reminds me of what my flight instructor said on the subject of
whether the FAA actually requires a certificated pilot or mechanic at
the controls when you are propping a plane: "Dan, there are a whole
lot of reasons why you would not want this to become an issue."

Many years ago at OSH, as I remember the report, some idiot propped a
plane with no one in it. It got away from him and cut both legs off
a girl sleeping in a tent nearby.

Painful even to think of something so horrible, but I've never been
able to forget it.

vince norris