In attempting to investigate text frame objects I wrote some macro code, the 
relevant part being:

Sub GetSize
dim thisframe as object
oDoc = thisComponent  
oFrames = oDoc.getTextFrames 
thisFrame = oFrames.getByName("Frame1")
msgbox thisFrame.width & " " & thisframe.height
dummy=1
end sub

I attached this routine to a UI button.
Now, in the current (empty) document create a text frame and press the button - 
all should be well.
Then, in the the script debugger set a breakpoint on the dummy=1 line, then 
press button again and stop at break.
Now add a watch to the 'thisFrame' object, and try opening it in the view 
window - hopefully expecting to get a list of current properties. Unfortunately 
the application now always crashes & exits, in my experience.