Quote from one of the reviews of the RDS8000 on Airtronics own website. This is EXACTLY what I experienced today. (And what almost certainly happened in the air last time.)

"I've had mine for about 1-2 years and have had repeated cases of the wires inside the TX breaking...this last time costing me my airplane. They short out, then break, leading to full deflection of a surface. Research it, multiple cases. I'm sending in to get fixed, we'll see about the cost. I really like the controller, but it's not worth it. (Posted on 4/1/14)"