John,

Sorry about your loss. My Mig 29 has had no problems since I converted the landing gear to hydraulic. I've probably got 25/30 flights so far on a JetCentral Rhino. Your dissecting of the stab has me worried as that is exactly where my F-20 failed due to soft wood in the elevator. Now, what to do. Cut into the elevators and perform surgery before I have a problem or hope that mine has the proper pinnage? The fuse, as you mentioned, is very thin. Perhaps the thing to do is fly this airplane very conservatively and don't put it through the paces as we normally would.
Again, sorry for your loss.

Rob Puetz
F15driver