The horizontal stab broke due to flutter... about 1" out, both sides at same time. It was the leading edge that failed.. I'm sure. Upon breaking, the stab(both sides) just folded back, creating a yard dart. It happened very quickly.. and yes.. I'm sure I was hammering on the throttle, the plane was/is pretty fast when flown as such. It happened so quickly I didn't realize why the plane went down. I actually picked up all the pieces, bagged them and took them home to my garage and did an NTSB type of investigation, spreading the pieces out/around in order on the garage floor..

When I got to the rear empenage, I noticed the hor.stabs were folded back... hmm.. interesting I said.. for a plane that upon crashing everything went forward.. the stabs were folded back. As I further inspected, I was able to simply kind of snap them back into position(as much as one can when its already destroyed).... still attached by wood splinters and covering... and as I "unfolded" them, it all just sort of fell back into place(again..as much as something can that was destroyed).. In my mind, thats the only thing that brought that plane down that day.. everything was operating as it should... and I was wringing it out about that point.. as it had only about 10 flights on it. I did what any true modeler would do though... I ordered another identical kit that day.. and built the second one in a few weeks time.

The engine and the front of the plane was disintegrated.. and it left about a 4" hole in the hard ground. A few servos were broke.. I don't think I used anything from that first Extra, other then the lesson I learned the hard way..

I'm not going to say this plane needs them if built per plans and specs engine wise.. I would say this plane needs something like that if "up engined" for sure. As I mentioned though, my second Extra(even covered identical to the first one) is still with me, after 12yrs... and probably a few hundred flights.. its a well flown plane.

I think you're doing fine, and will have a nice plane when said and done.. you're doing your homework.. can't go wrong there.. have a great day.