20260713007259A

Accident · Destroyed

FAA accident report · James P Schmidt SCHMIDT TITANIUM EXP · Larkspur, CO · July 13, 2026

Date: July 13, 2026 · 07:59 local
Place: Larkspur, CO
Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
Damage: Destroyed
Aircraft: N665TE
NTSB investigation: NTSBCEN26LA254
Reported as: James P Schmidt Schmidt Titanium EXP
Reported engine: ROTAX 914UL
People aboard: 1
Fatal injuries: 0
Other injuries: 1
Pilot’s certificate: Sport pilot

N665TERegistered now · James P Schmidt SCHMIDT TITANIUM EXPS/N 0066-0125 · Built 2025 Airframe modelJames P Schmidt SCHMIDT TITANIUM EXP Engine modelRotax 914ULS4 cycle

From the FAA’s Accident/Incident Data System (AIDS), through its Aviation Safety Information Portal, as reported. The NTSB investigates accidents separately, and its record of an accident is the fuller one. The aircraft is matched to the registry by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

What happened

The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.

While conducting part 91 flight operations 4.5 miles west of Larkspur, CO - pilot experienced a loss of engine power and landed in mountainous terrain. The gyroplane struck trees and dropped approximately 40 feet. Day VFR. One pilot seriously injured.

As the FAA filed it

WHILE CONDUCTING PART 91 FLIGHT OPERATIONS 4.5 MILES WEST OF LARKSPUR, CO - PILOT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND LANDED IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. THE GYROPLANE STRUCK TREES AND DROPPED APPROXIMATELY 40 FEET. DAY VFR. ONE PILOT SERIOUSLY INJURED.

NTSB investigation

The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.

NTSB CEN26LA254Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedPreliminary reportLarkspur, COOn July 13, 2026, about 800 mountain daylight time, a Tag Aviation Pty Ltd Titanium Explorer gyrocopter, N665TE was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Larkspur, Colorado. The pilot passed away in the hospital five days after the…Jul 13, 2026 · Substantial damage