What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
On August 7, 2026, at approximately 1600 PST, privacy data omitted departed ktmk under coa 2024-WSA-15875-44803 for test flight operations. After launch via pneumatic rail and climb to 20,000 feet AGL, the aircraft conducted payload operations in an orbit 5 to 7 NM off the coast. While descending to 6,000 feet AGL for return, the aircraft experienced an engine failure. The pilot in command determined the aircraft could not glide back to the launch site and elected recovery at the alternate site. At approximately 2,300 feet AGL and about 7 NM off the coast of Tillamook, the parachute recovery system was activated. The aircraft was recovered from the ocean by boat and was reported structurally intact. Cause of the engine failure remains under review.
As the FAA filed it
ON AUGUST 7, 2026, AT APPROXIMATELY 1600 PST, ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ DEPARTED KTMK UNDER COA 2024-WSA-15875-44803 FOR TEST FLIGHT OPERATIONS. AFTER LAUNCH VIA PNEUMATIC RAIL AND CLIMB TO 20,000 FEET AGL, THE AIRCRAFT CONDUCTED PAYLOAD OPERATIONS IN AN ORBIT 5 TO 7 NM OFF THE COAST. WHILE DESCENDING TO 6,000 FEET AGL FOR RETURN, THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE FAILURE. THE PILOT IN COMMAND DETERMINED THE AIRCRAFT COULD NOT GLIDE BACK TO THE LAUNCH SITE AND ELECTED RECOVERY AT THE ALTERNATE SITE. AT APPROXIMATELY 2,300 FEET AGL AND ABOUT 7 NM OFF THE COAST OF TILLAMOOK, THE PARACHUTE RECOVERY SYSTEM WAS ACTIVATED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS RECOVERED FROM THE OCEAN BY BOAT AND WAS REPORTED STRUCTURALLY INTACT. CAUSE OF THE ENGINE FAILURE REMAINS UNDER REVIEW.