Propeller failure on maiden launch

[Victory Pete]

Hi All
I have a new Ascent that I hand launched for the first time this morning. Bad news, prop broke when I advanced the throttle and the resulting imbalance tore out the motor and firewall. I tried to land but the CG was out because the motor and prop assebly was dangling out the front, so it landed hard nose first in the turf. The G force damaged the wings. I am a bit dissapointed and discouraged, I had heard reports of these propellers breaking alot but this was a virgin plane. I called Horizon Product Support and I have to send in the Ascent for evaluation. I am not even sure I want another one now if these propellers fail even when they are brand new. As I was putting my damaged Ascent away a club member with another Ascent which was not new, had the same exact thing happen. I dont know that planes history but I know mine was certainly a factory defect.
VP

[ATIS]

Crap VP, sorry to hear that. Is the prop the same as the Radian? I have only broke 1 on her and that was from a nose in. You might be able to change to the Radians blades.

[Victory Pete]

I looked at a Radian today they are physically diiferent. Someone suggested HobbyLobby has a German replacement blade.
VP

[WJCJR1]

Bummer dude. Get it to HH for sure. HH has been good about if the product was/is defective replacing it immediately. Well that has been my experience with one issue I had. A couple gentlemen I fly with have had one or two issues over the years and HH replaced all items NO questions.

Wayne

[Victory Pete]

I am dissapointed with the last transaction with Horizon Hobby. I did get a Stearman PT-17 in exchange for the defective Ascent, but I didnt get the $10 difference from the lower price of the PT-17. Also, the battery was damaged in the Ascent crash, so I asked for credit, they are sending me a new battery but I dont have an Ascent to use it in. I had to repeatedly call back over and over. No one returned my calls promptly. This is not the typical great customer service I had been used to. I was not treated like a valued customer. I may be shopping elsewhere.
VP

[ATIS]

VP, the fact that they gave you a new plane is impressive. Most companies would say they are not at fault and your out of luck so you cant knock HH. You have to remember people crash and then claim things were bad from the factory trying to get a replacement (not accussing you of that but it happens) so for them to replace it with a new plane is an impressive response of CS support. Read the review on the PT17 as she has a few little things that you need to take care off...especially the CG.

[Victory Pete]

I hear you, but there are alot of reports of defective props. Even on their own website someone left a review who had 2 bad ones in a row. At my field, the same day mine broke someone else had the same thing happen, then another guy had his elevator control horn pull out. They must certainly be aware of these quality control issues. After all they have an updated version of the Radians prop, it is just a matter of time before there will be a little red "important product bulletin for the Ascent. I just didnt like the attitude they had that day, like I was the problem with all my claims.
VP

[ATIS]

understand the issue with not being happy with how you were treated on the phone. I wouldnt be happy either. Did you get a name? Maybe HHJeff can check on it or advise CS supervisor and get it corrected.

I must have missed the new props for the radian as I am still flying the stock ones.

[Victory Pete]

I have a list of names, I have been on the phone so many times and have sent numerous e-mails. They seem to just keep passing you along to other people maybe to tire you out. I dont know how many times I had to repeat my situation over to somebody I had just been transfered to. I am currently waiting yet again for another manager or supervisor to call. It is funny, all this ovet $33.99 credit. Not to mention the time I have wasted putting the Ascent together, having it crash at the field, taking pictures of it, sending e-mails, being on hold, explaining my story over and over, and waiting for someone to call. That is bad public relations and customer service.
VP