wait a minute, this is not how it is going to go; we need to do a proper, detailed investigation here (FAA style). let's start with the forensic analysis of the break in the mentioned structural element that was mentioned. :P
joke aside, it does sound a bit like an aviation incident, where a lot of things need to align (badly) in order for actual trouble to occur.
eventhough i was half joking, i can't help myself:
- the main thing i see and would check thoroughly is the lashing on the bottom (foot end): it seems to me it might be too tight. the tensa design "likes" (to not say requires) complete freedom of movement in that joint. that freedom increases the strength of the whole assembly, by improving the ability of the beams themselves to withstand high loads (that's one of the things i find most beautiful about the tensa design, it is "self aligning")
- uv damage and paracord: i would retire the paracord to other uses, and replace it with new (ideally dyneema if you can spare it, because dyneema is known to be very uv resilient, but using paracord and replacing it periodically works too i reckon; the stretch of paracord is a really nice feature for this application); i understand it's still doing the job, but when it breaks, it might be unpleasant (and it will, after years exposed to UV, and with lashing which are possibly too tight, just not clear when)
- i'd still take a close look at the broken cross section, to get an idea of what state the wood is in after all this time. it's just intriguing (even if not worried). yeah, i know, i have issues ;)
in the end, the furry customer has approved the current state, so that's the most important thing. thanks for the update, long term reports are not so easy to come by
ps: ah, i'd probably also consider setting up an aerial line for the pups leash to run on, to avoid the risk of him getting caught in ground obstacles. it is doable with some rope and knots and stuff, so "it must be done" - sort of thing.
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