Originally Posted by CBreezy

The problem with the MCAS crashes was poor technique and late recognition from the pilot perspective. In the second crash, the crew actually hit the stab trim cutout switches. The problem was, the nose down forces were so great, they couldn't manually crank the trim. You actually have to unload the stab to be able to crank the trim wheel. This requires a kind a porpoising. And even then, it takes something like 40-50 turns to get it back to something manageable.

The second crew couldn't turn the trim wheel and the airplane was on the the verge of out of control. So they turned the electric trim back on.

To your last questions: yes it spins. Yes you can use trim to temporarily cut out the MCAS and yes you could theoretically grasp the wheel. Not sure how effective that would be but it is in the memory item. Why I think it takes so long to recognize is, the 737 actually has a system that trims the aircraft for you on departure so it's actually common to have that wheel spinning on its own as you are pulling flaps up and accelerating.