# NTSB CEN26LA152: Ela ELA10, N510EA, Boulder, CO, March 29, 2026

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: March 29, 2026, 12:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Boulder, CO
- Coordinates: 40.039365, -105.22609 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0394&lon=-105.2261&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 30, 2026
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 202723
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN26LA152
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202723/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA152

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff in gusting wind conditions.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Ela Aviation USA ECLIPSE 10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05635XZ), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Ela Aviation USA ECLIPSE 10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05635XZ), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Ela Aviation USA ECLIPSE 10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=05635XZ), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Ela Aviation USA ECLIPSE 10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05635XZ), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Ela Aviation USA ECLIPSE 10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=05635XZ), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Ela Aviation USA ECLIPSE 10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=05635XZ), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Ela Aviation USA ECLIPSE 10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05635XZ), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)

## Analysis

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.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N510EA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N510EA), registered now, S/N 10165111014, built 2017 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ELA ELA10 (ECLIPSE)
- Registry model: [Ela Aviation USA ECLIPSE 10](https://openairdocs.org/model/ela-aviation-usa-eclipse-10) (registry code 05635XZ) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax 914UL](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-914ul) (registry code 55553, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 10165111014
- Year built: 2017
- Airframe hours: 274.5
- Engines: Rotax 914 UL 2-01 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, August 1, 2025
- Departed: BJC, Broomfield, CO
- Destination: BDU, Boulder, CO
- Airport: BDU, Boulder Muni, runway 08/26, 4,100 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; private, sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 28, 2025; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 175 total, 19 in this make and model, 109 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 10 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observed at: KBDU, 1 nm away
- METAR: METAR KBDU 291815Z AUTO 28010G19KT 10SM CLR 24/M05 A3003 RMK AO2=

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20260329003459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260329003459A), Mar 29, 2026: Eclipse 10, Boulder, CO, Substantial damage. Landing on runway 26 bdu was uneventful, after decelerating to near stop pilot applied full power for touch and go. As rotor RPM and airspeed increased pilot…

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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