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

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Manufacturer
Cesaroni Technology
Designation
143G33-9A
Type
single-use
Date code
Nov 22 2018
Failure date
Jun 8, 2019
Location
Lucerne Valley, CA
Temperature
85 ℉
Ejection end blown out
Burning propellant ejected
Comments
Motor exploded immediately on ignitition, ejecting the delay assembly and the top two grains through the rolled end of the case and destroying the rocket on the pad. (It was an Estes #2157 Saturn V, modified for 29mm... it left the bottom half of the first stage on the rod, the remainder was thrown approx. 6 ft.) There was no evidence of any burning of the actual grains, however the BP pellet was missing and the top grain was partially split... however, the liner was intact. Very unusual CATO for an AP motor... this seems to be more of an issue with the BP pellet in the head grain than with the actual propellant grains.
Status
accepted