Rotor Effects LLC M24 PLUS accident near Waelder, Texas, August 15, 2026
On August 15, 2026 at about 2:00 pm local time, a 2025 Rotor Effects LLC M24 PLUS (gyroplane), registered N91JL, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Waelder, Texas (Private airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s improper execution of rejected takeoff procedures, which resulted in loss of control and subsequent runway excursion.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 15, 2026 · about 2:00 pm local time · cases in 2026
- Place
- Waelder, Texas · Private · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Rotor Effects LLC M24 PLUS, built 2025
- Registration
- N91JL · registry record · serial 24256046
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During the takeoff roll from the 600 ft grass airstrip, the gyroplane hit a large bump which caused the glove box to open, and its contents fall into the cockpit. He believed there was enough runway remaining and attempted to reject the takeoff. During the rejected takeoff, the pilot inadvertently applied the throttle handle instead of the handbrake. The gyroplane continued off the end of the runway and into a pond, which resulted in substantial damage to the empennage and a main rotor blade. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the gyroplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Runway excursion during takeoff defining event
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
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action selection › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot, military
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: gyroplane
- Flight time: 19,835 hours in all; 43.3 in this make and model; 81 in the last 90 days; 50 in the last 30 days; 12,670 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 4, 2026
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 43 hours
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 915iS (piston); 43 hours total
The flight
- Destination: T20 Gonzales TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway NA, 600 ft by 30 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 8 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 81°F (27°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 4 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photograph 1 – Accident Site
Photograph 2 – Accident Aircraft
Photograph 3 – Accident site showing rudder on shoreline of pond
Photograph 4 – CockpitThe NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on October 1, 2026. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Photos | PDF, 5 pages · our copy | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N91JL on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Engine: Rotax 915iS 393 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Roger M Dreyer Memorial · bound for
- Accidents and incidents in Texas 6,244 since 1982 · 1,063 in the last ten years
- Texas 29,976 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/CEN26LA298.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.