Amateur-built ELA10 accident near Boulder, Colorado, March 29, 2026
On March 29, 2026 at about 6:15 pm local time, a 2017 amateur-built ELA10 (gyroplane), registered N510EA, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Boulder, Colorado (Boulder Muni airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff in gusting wind conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 29, 2026 · about 6:15 pm local time
- Place
- Boulder, Colorado · Boulder Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built ELA10 ECLIPSE, built 2017
- Registration
- N510EA · registry record · serial 10165111014
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that after an uneventful landing he applied full power to initiate a touch-and-go on runway 26. During the takeoff portion of the maneuver, the gyroplane began to drift to the left. The pilot attempted to correct the drift; however, each time the nosewheel lifted off the runway, the gyroplane continued to drift to the left. As the gyroplane continued to drift towards the runway edge, the pilot attempted to rotate the gyroplane to take off. The gyroplane tipped to the left and impacted the ground which resulted in substantial damage to the mast and empennage. Wind at the time of the accident was 280° at 10 knots gusting to 19 knots. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operations.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff defining event
- Attempted remediation/recovery during takeoff
- Abnormal runway contact during takeoff
- Runway excursion during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private, sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: gyroplane
- Flight time: 175 hours in all; 19 in this make and model; 8 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 109 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 28, 2025
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 274.5 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, August 1, 2025
- Maximum gross weight: 1,235 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 914 UL 2-01 (piston); 274 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: BJC Broomfield CO at 5:45 pm
- Destination: BDU Boulder CO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 08/2, 4,100 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 10 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 23°F (-5°C)
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observation at 12:15 pm from KBDU, 1 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KBDU 291815Z AUTO 28010G19KT 10SM CLR 24/M05 A3003 RMK AO2=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N510EA the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.