Malfunctioning Engine Statistical Survey
M.E.S.S.

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Manufacturer
AeroTech
Designation
G53-7FJ
Type
reload
Date code
3111507
Failure date
Jul 24, 2016
Location
Lucerne Valley, CA
Temperature
80 ℉
Ejection end blown out
Reported to mfr.
Comments
Motor was an Aerotech 29/40-120 Hobbyline motor, with a G53-7JF reload. Propellant gases apparently breached the delay grain/forward closure about .5 sec into the burn. Rocket was a Madcow DX3 set up for dual-deploy, there was no BP charge in the motor, as is standard DD procedure when the delay of the motor is significantly less than the anticipated coast time. Gases coming from the forward closure burned through the nylon shock cord (which would normally not see any ejection gases because the drogue ejection is from the other end of the booster tube), severely charred the inside of the booster, and caused separation of the booster/AV-payload at approximately 50' AGL. Upon disassembly of the motor, all components were in the proper order, and the two o-rings at either end of the grain were intact. However, the delay grain o-ring was severely burned, which is highly unusual; I've probably flown about 100 Hobbyline loads over the past few years.
Status
accepted