Rode out to the flying field yesterday afternoon about an hour before dark. A new club member was there already fueling a new bird for it's maiden flight. He asked me to do a pre-flight on it before cranking it and and I glady did so. Everything looked 100% and I congratulated him on a job well done after he went thru all of the throw settings etc.
He proceeded to spin the engine over for several seconds to get the fuel flowing with his electric starter and then reached for his glow starter. I tried to interrupt his progress to remind him that his radio was still OFF but at the same time a kid came riding by with his car stereo blasting away. I started walking toward the pilot to try and get his attention but it was to late. The engine fired off at 2/3rd. throttle and the entire plane just leaped straight towards him. I guess by pure instinct he reached his hands straight out to try and stop the plane .... man did that prop tear his thumb and index finger up on his left hand !!! The plane was in a starting stand but I guess he just reacted without thinking.
Blood went everywhere, he was cut all the way to the bone in a V formation in both spots. I managed to get his engine turned off pretty quick and wrapped his hand up nice and tight with a clean cotton towel.
About this time his brother drove up, he took him to the emergency room, I gathered his plane and flight box and went right in behind them.
Luckily ... no bones were broken, it took 8 stitches on each cut to sew him back together though [sm=crying.gif]
For what it's worth ... this guy has been flying planes for over 20 years and I suppose this could happen to ANYBODY so be careful and never take anything for granted. I know it sure got my attention.