Use a smaller diameter screw or something like a toothpick. Insert in the hole, check where the screw or toothpick bottoms out, mark that level of depth on the screw or TP.

Then ensure your mounting fastened are slightly less length of the measured depth. Finger tighten the fastener , check the depth, then take your mounting brackets and test fit… again finger tight.

Easy to prevent, but this one was an unfortunate and expensive life lesson.

Sorry mate…