Equipment destruction?

[Questor]

Mr. Dahlberg:

It just occurred to me that you must have some "good" (i.e. BAD!) stories about equipment destroyed while doing your work. Will you please relate a couple?

I thought of the question while I was reflecting on the bad luck my cameras have had this year. About a month ago I was exploring the banks of a marshy lake and fell into a water hole up to my chest in icy water. My digital camera was soaked and has never fully recoverd.

So I got a new camera and my first time using it on a fishing trip the lens was sprayed with a splotchy coat of sucker sperm when I was handling and photographing a five pound sucker that I had caught. I've heard of "fish porn" before, but this must be a first of some sort.

[dahlberg]

I've been pretty lucky with equipment, but I don't cut corners either.
My saddest day was watching a rod tube come off the baggage line that looked like someone had stuck it in the prop of the airplane. I think it had fallen off the transport and got run over by the tow vehicle. About a dozen rods were cleanly sheared off above the handles!
best,
L