I had a similar issue a few weeks ago with an Aerotech K456DM. It was just loose. I asked a bunch of people at the field and no one was really sure. Most people had not seen that exact issue before, so we didn't think to check the liner length. The general consensus was "just crank it down as hard as you can and it should be good". Unfortunately, "go now" fever won over and I flew it. Here are the results:
I was able to recover the electronics (the ebay ejected clear) and the nosecone, but the 72" Fruity Chute burned up, the booster was toast and the heat was so intense it melted the adapter ring on the Aeropack 54mm-75mm adapter and it completely warped the Aerotech case (both ends were flared out).
We ended up having 3 CATOs that day - all on Aerotech 54mm. I have no clue if the other people who experienced a CATO had the same issue, but I do know I am now going to go back and check the liner lengths on all my motors I have on hand.
Does anyone know what the lengths of the liners are supposed to be for each case so I can check them? Without a reference chart, it will be difficult to know if any of them are wrong unless I can figure out a known-good one and go from there.
That was an expensive CATO.