csoechtig
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2011
- Messages
- 380
- Reaction score
- 5
I guess it was bound to happen eventually... after 160+ successful high power flights with Aerotech reloads and Rouse Teach hardware, I had my first Cato last Saturday. It was in a fiberglass 4” Darkstar rocket with an Aerotech K828FJ-P (Rouse Tech 54/2560 case).
Based on the photos and video, it appears the motor ignited as planned, lifted about 5 feet off the pad, over pressurized, and exploded towards the top of the rail. The force of the CATO ripped the cap off my Aeropack motor retainer and slammed the case against the thrust plate. As you can see in the last photo, the case is completely destroyed. I never found the forward closure and the aft closure is stuck on the damaged case.
The good news is the rocket is in great shape (gotta love 100% fiberglass builds). The motor retainer threads are still okay - just need to swap out a replacement 54mm cap. The drogue shock cord was ripped off the MMT. So, I ordered a tapped forward closure and will remount the shock cord with an eyebolt connected directly to the case.
I've been working with Aerotech and hope they will replace the reload and assist with new Hardware. A report has been filed. So far, they've been great. Definitely NOT the way you want to start your day...
[video=youtube;hxshQaAJlDk]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxshQaAJlDk[/video]
At least I got a couple cool pictures from it
Based on the photos and video, it appears the motor ignited as planned, lifted about 5 feet off the pad, over pressurized, and exploded towards the top of the rail. The force of the CATO ripped the cap off my Aeropack motor retainer and slammed the case against the thrust plate. As you can see in the last photo, the case is completely destroyed. I never found the forward closure and the aft closure is stuck on the damaged case.
The good news is the rocket is in great shape (gotta love 100% fiberglass builds). The motor retainer threads are still okay - just need to swap out a replacement 54mm cap. The drogue shock cord was ripped off the MMT. So, I ordered a tapped forward closure and will remount the shock cord with an eyebolt connected directly to the case.
I've been working with Aerotech and hope they will replace the reload and assist with new Hardware. A report has been filed. So far, they've been great. Definitely NOT the way you want to start your day...
[video=youtube;hxshQaAJlDk]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxshQaAJlDk[/video]
At least I got a couple cool pictures from it
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