Just sharing ...

I'm (finally)adding a new step in my preflight - a battery load test. Guess I've been lucky for the last 3 years. Ifound out that a 6.0 v battery that drains to 3.5 v in 2 seconds of "load" will NOTsustain flight.

Great day, 65 degrees 3-7 mph, no clouds. Got the LT-40 charged to nearly 7 v at the house. During the 2nd flight there was a sustained turn (practicing figure 8's) and the plane held the aileron &throttle settings and spiralled in from 150 feet or so. Helpless feeling - no radio control.

Good news. Nylon 1/4x20 wing bolts sheared. Nylon 1/4x20 landing gear bolts sheared (tail dragger). Fin &stab need fixing. Both wing tips need fixing (cartwheel). Alittle wing leading edge breakage / crack points, maybe a rib. Not bad given the alternatives.

So all you beginners, have a volt meter in your radio box with a load test and (oh yea)use it before each flight. Yea, 99% it'll be a yawner but maybe it will save your plane. Just maybe.