Tim51
Well-Known Member
After 3 perfect flights (CTI H125, CTI G115, and CTI I195) my 4" Loc Fantom came a cropper yesterday when the chute failed to fully deploy. It was flying on a CTI I236 with motor ejection, and, as with all the previous flights, the chute was a 44" Loc Angel, which has performed well on the previous occasions. The separation occurred at apogee but the chute was not pulled out, and the
two halves, still tethered together bounced. Damage was relatively slight (the field was bare dry soil, recently ploughed) resulting in a curved crump on the lip of the airframe. There was no other damage to either fins or airframe, which was something to be grateful for, given the altitude it was falling from.
So I'm left wondering what exactly happened... Did the harder acceleration of the I236 wedge the chute into the airframe with such force that the stock CTI ejection charge couldn't push it out on this occasion...? I'd welcome any thoughts/theories.
John
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UKRA #1895 L1
two halves, still tethered together bounced. Damage was relatively slight (the field was bare dry soil, recently ploughed) resulting in a curved crump on the lip of the airframe. There was no other damage to either fins or airframe, which was something to be grateful for, given the altitude it was falling from.
So I'm left wondering what exactly happened... Did the harder acceleration of the I236 wedge the chute into the airframe with such force that the stock CTI ejection charge couldn't push it out on this occasion...? I'd welcome any thoughts/theories.
John
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UKRA #1895 L1