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Old 05-02-2005 | 07:24 PM
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MikeEast
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From: Nederland, TX
Default RE: Composite ARF Impact problems?

Mine failed last wednesday. This airplane has logged over 100 flights with no problems. It was one of the early kits built last august it has pull pull rudder and a single elevator servo with Central Hobbies carbon fiber pushrod system for elevator
The seam from the base of the rudder fin to the top and one side of the rudder post came apart there was no seam tape on the internal seam. the airplane was flying straight and level when the failure occured. The fact that flutter initiates these failures may be true but the ultimate reason for the failures is lack of air frame strength which in my opinion is the results of poor design and/or failure to provide adequate support in the tail area which allows the fuselade to oil can when just the right force is applied in the direction that causes the fuselage to kink in or twist to the point of failure.
I havent been able to contact Composite-arf or my sales rep to date they don't answer my post's
For all those who are flying these airplanes I think you have a ticking time bomb unless you have modified the airframe to carry the load which is very difficult to do after the plane is built.
I think more ao these have failed than a few It wiold interesting to know how many.
Buddy