Sttct,
I add my heartfelt condolences. I truly cannot imagine what it was like to have been there, to have known him, and to have seen that happen.
The way to attach a picture is to click "Go Advanced", and then use "Manage Attachments" to upload and insert the image. We would definitely like to see the image.
In response to your questions about safety, may I direct you to the National Association of Rocketry's
safety code page?
From what you have described, it sounds like the rocket was unstable. Stability in a rocket is achieved by having the rocket's center of aerodynamic pressure (CP) at least one airframe diameter aft of the rocket's center of gravity (CG). The center of pressure is determined by the shape of the rocket, whereas the center of gravity is determined by the distribution of weight.
One way, perhaps, to have avoided this, would be to have anyone who wants to launch a rocket clearly be able to identify where the CP and CG are. When a rocket leaves the rod and then suddenly turns sideways, it is almost always because the CP/CG ratio is misplaced.
Another thing to take with you is the relationship of the motor's thrust to the weight of the rocket. Whereas the NAR safety code requires a 3:1 thrust to weight ratio, experienced rocket fliers have found that a 5:1 ratio is more appropriate.
The table below shows motor thrust and the maximum weight of a rocket that it should propel. Of course, I have no idea if the weights were checked at the launch and compared to the motor being used. But if the thrust:weight ratio is too low, then the rocket doesn't have enough vertical speed coming off the pad, and then it is subject to the wind. So even a stable rocket (correct CP/CG) will turn with the wind if the correct thrust is not achieved.
Come on back if you have more questions. And again let me express my sympathy.
| Thrust | Ounces |
| 6 | 4.3 |
| 7 | 5.0 |
| 8 | 5.7 |
| 9 | 6.4 |
| 10 | 7.1 |
| 11 | 7.8 |
| 12 | 8.5 |
