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

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Manufacturer
Estes Industries
Designation
D12-5
Type
single-use
Date code
A 08 18 11
Failure date
Apr 2, 2017
Location
Centerville, PA (near Millersville)
Temperature
60 ℉
Ejection end blown out
Burning propellant ejected
Comments
I successfully flew a second motor from this same pack today. The engine was staged, so the rocket was airborne at the time. This second stage motor ignited successfully and started to produce thrust, but within a second, the forward plug blew out. Two separate flaming balls were seen falling from the rocket. I retrieved and still have the casing. It looks like the entire forward plug pushed out of the motor in one piece - you can see a bulge on the front rim of the casing which hadn't been there, and striations are visible inside the casing. It must have caught the forward thrust ring and shredded that and the motor mount tube. Grumpy Dog lived up to its name..
Status
accepted