That only confirms that both mags are working, to check that neither is live with the switch off, you need to turn it to OFF briefly at idle RPM and note that the engine dies. Don’t do it during runups as there will be an allmighty BANG and possible engine damage when you turn them back on.
Your imagination probably has a much more exciting ending than real life. Someone saw the whole incident unfold and got over in time to help and save either party from any damage.
Thanks for the handpropping instructions, guys, but that wasn’t quite what I was looking for. I’ve only ever needed a handprop once, and for that I asked the assistance of a much, much more experience pilot who knew what he was doing.
What I was asking about is the more mundane prop moving. For instance, for a start in severe cold, our FBO’s start up procedures for the planes I fly include pulling the prop through several times prior to start. Of course, I check and double check mags, switches, etc. are off, but I’m still paranoid about that swinging metal. I keep as clear of the prop arc as possible, and pull slowly. Does pulling slowly reduce the chances of the engine firing?
Then there’s the problem of vertical props and being short. If the prop stopped vertically and I’m preflighting I really do want to see the upper blade, and in order to do that, I need to move it a quarter turn. Again, I check things are off, keep body parts clear, etc.
The fact I don’t have a lot of upper body strength makes it sooooo tempting to put my bodyweight into the job but I resist the temptation. Have to do it strictly with arm power, and if that’s not enough I go for help. I think the tall guys have a leverage advantage I don’t as well. I don’t really like asking others to do a job I’m not too keen on, but fortunately there are a lot of helpful folks around.
I’m pretty sure I’m doing things properly, but I like to doublecheck once in awhile.
Well, the point is that you treat every prop pull through as though you are attempting to start the engine (as far as body position goes) even when you are just moving the prop to see it better.
If you can’t reach the down going blade, push the opposite blade up until you can reach the down going one. If you pull near the tip of the blade you will have more leverage and be able to pull it through easier.
Just avoid doing things like standing in the prop arc and pulling the blade directly towards you. Or bending forwards as you pull the blade down so that your head and neck end up in the prop arc.
I’m pretty sure you’re doing things properly as well. It sounds like you are interested in doing things safely and so you most likely already are.