billdz
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2017
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Had a CATO on Saturday. The rocket was an EZI-65 and the motor was a Cesaroni J420. At ignition, the plastic aft closure apparently popped off and 4 grains fell to the ground. The rocket lifted up a few feet, then fell back to the ground, the fin section touched ground first, then the rocket fell on its side (see attached video). The rocket remained in one piece, the ejection charge did not fire and stayed in place, on top of it was the dog barf, then the chute and shock cord. The payload section did not separate from the fin section of the airframe.
The only damage to the rocket was 1) a hole on the side of the fin section airframe, 2) the payload section bulkhead broke at the eye bolt (where the shock cord connects), and 3) the coupler buckled just above the bulkhead (see attached photos). I'm trying to figure out what caused this damage. I assume it must be either upward force from the motor at the moment of the CATO, or impact with the ground after the CATO. From the video, it seems the rocket was already bent as it ascended, and it does not seem the rocket hit anything that caused the damage. Any ideas as to the cause of the damage?
Yes, I have filed a MESS report.
Thanks,
Bill
The only damage to the rocket was 1) a hole on the side of the fin section airframe, 2) the payload section bulkhead broke at the eye bolt (where the shock cord connects), and 3) the coupler buckled just above the bulkhead (see attached photos). I'm trying to figure out what caused this damage. I assume it must be either upward force from the motor at the moment of the CATO, or impact with the ground after the CATO. From the video, it seems the rocket was already bent as it ascended, and it does not seem the rocket hit anything that caused the damage. Any ideas as to the cause of the damage?
Yes, I have filed a MESS report.
Thanks,
Bill