Wing failure on tower trainer.
 

So I got my new wing, got it all lined up and installed, then go to fly. First flight was good, took some trimming, but flew pretty good, landed fine, then did some adjustments. Second flight was worse than the first one because I moved my elevator the wrong way so it took even more trim. I landed it fine, then made more adjustments. 3rd flight, the airplane flew very well. It tracked perfectly without any trim at all. I started doing some loops and rolls, then while in the middle of one of my loops the wings collapsed and it fell straight to the ground. Since I was over a parking lot, the impact destroyed my engine and airplane, the only things that survived was the radio and servos, which will need some serious testing before I trust them.

Anyway, I'm trying to figure out why the wing failed. As you can see in the picture:

http://www.schu.net/gallery/albums/a...0006.sized.jpg

The wing did not fail where I glued the halves together. The balsa that mates those together are still in tact. The airplane is a tower trainer rated for a 40-46 engine. I have a OS .46fx in it with a 12x4 prop. I am running the large prop because it helps the airplane slow down better when landing. I am using throttle control and was not a full throttle when I did the loop, but was moving at a pretty good rate.

Here are my questions:

Is this type of failure common?
Was this something that I did to make it fail?
Is this something that the manufacturer should warranty?
Was I using way to much engine for this plane?
What should I get to replace it? Is there a trainer that is stronger but not to expensive?
Should I buy something designed to do loops and rolls since I'm not having any problems landing the trainer?

Thanks,
schu

RE: Wing failure on tower trainer.
 

was there any sort of wing joiner??

RE: Wing failure on tower trainer.
 

There were plywood wing joiners if thats what you where talking about. The force was enough to break it in half. Here is a picture:

http://www.schu.net/gallery/albums/a...0004.sized.jpg

RE: Wing failure on tower trainer.
 

Kind of hard to tell from the pic but it looks like you are lacking in epoxy. Did you coat both haves 100%?

RE: Wing failure on tower trainer.
 

The part you are looking at is the back side of the balsa that I glued. Everything that I glued is still glued together so I don't think it is because of lack of glue.

RE: Wing failure on tower trainer.
 

That would explain why I don't see any glue. Was the wing built when ordered? If so I would definitely contact Tower.

RE: Wing failure on tower trainer.
 

akschu,
Unless there is something that I'm not seeing, that wing failed. Plain and simple. I can't see where it was your fault. Give Tower a call and tell them what happened. They've always been great about supporting there products. Let us know what they have to say.

RE: Wing failure on tower trainer.
 

Make sure you remind them about your plane, or lack of. And get them to check your receiver and servos.

RE: Wing failure on tower trainer.
 

Also be friendly when you talk to them. Don't call them with an attitude or you won't end up with anything.

RE: Wing failure on tower trainer.
 

What about the engine? Should that be replaced too? I had a very nice OS 46fx, but now it's history.

RE: Wing failure on tower trainer.
 

Yes, definitely tell them about the engine.

RE: Wing failure on tower trainer.
 

i had a tower trainer and it flew great... until... i crashed it. then i fixed it, i join the two wing halves that broke w/ a balsa piece in the middle. first flight was fine, then the second flight did some high g manuver and the wign is folded... of course that was my fault for not having a wing joiner.... if it wasn't for that my plane would have survived a crash or two after that. ALL i got to say about this plane is... it's great, great trainer, great price. just GREAT!!

RE: Wing failure on tower trainer.
 

I agree, I have one also and it is a tough plane:eek:

RE: Wing failure on tower trainer.
 

Definately tell them about the motor. Since it was damaged in the crash resulting from the wing failure. I learned on a Tower Trainer 9 years ago and I still have it and fly it. It's got more flights on it that I care to count..

RE: Wing failure on tower trainer.
 

Ok, I sent them an email with the pictures so I should know tomorrow sometime.

I was really bummed when it happened. As you guys know, I was fighting setup issues on this plane, then just when I got it all figured out and the plane was flying great, whamm!!! (literally) mechanical failure. I hope they replace the plane, but it's too bad I'll have to wait 3 weeks for it.

schu

RE: Wing failure on tower trainer.
 

It should be quicker than that, make sure you hang onto the wing. They may want to see it.

RE: Wing failure on tower trainer.
 

When you live in Alaska it takes 3 weeks to get mail from them. They won't be able to see the other half of the wing if the want to since it didn't fall straight down but fluttered over and landed on top the high school I was flying at. I hope that doesn't cause problems.....

schu

RE: Wing failure on tower trainer.
 

They should be cool with it. I think calling them would do you better in this situation. Then it is all done in a phone call.

RE: Wing failure on tower trainer.
 

yeah... I'm a Tower customer, and i would say it is better to call. respose are faster because you actually talking to someone.

be sure not to scream at them and blame it on them when you call ( sometime it depends on the person that you talk to, and they get to decide whether u get the plane or not )

RE: Wing failure on tower trainer.
 

Sorry to hear about your crash. I'll play devils advocate here and tell you this...I would not get my hopes up about getting the engine replaced. That would be nice, but would go way beyond their warranty of replacing parts with manufacturer defects, but related losses are not covered. Maybe they'll discount the price on a new motor or something. BTW, what happened to the first wing? Good luck and I hope you get a favorable response from Tower. I do business with them often too.

RE: Wing failure on tower trainer.
 

Doesn't Tower guarantee a replacement if you crash within 90 days of purchase?

RE: Wing failure on tower trainer.
 

I also noticed that the warranty only covers the cost of the plane so I asked about the engine and asked if they could discount the replacement.

RE: Wing failure on tower trainer.
 

Just out of curiosity I went to tower to see how much a new wing was. Whats up with this???
A wing is 75.00 and the ARF Kit is 70.00 bucks.

RE: Wing failure on tower trainer.
 

Skynard man... Yep... I was going to get a new fuse for my superstar, but saw that i could easily get a new plane cheaper...

RE: Wing failure on tower trainer.
 

Oh, well the first wing hit a goal post. I was concentrating so hard on getting it settled in for a landing that I didn't even see it. I have since started using a different field that doesn't have a big obstacle in the middle of my approach.