# NTSB CEN26LA245: Xag P150 MAX, Wolcott, IN, July 2, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 2, 2026, 08:12 local (12:12 UTC) - Place: Wolcott, IN - Coordinates: 40.755883, -87.060475 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7559&lon=-87.0605&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report October 1, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 203349 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN26LA245 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203349/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203349 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA245 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the UAS during takeoff. ## 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: [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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 in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: AC/prop/rotor contact w person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/081); cases with it: [All aircraft, 61 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/081/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot/operator commanded the takeoff sequence on the agricultural unmanned aircraft system (UAS) and the UAS climbed to about 15 ft above its launch rig. Hearing an abnormal “popping” noise coming from the UAS, the pilot initiated the automated landing sequence and the UAS descended to about 2 ft above the rig and about 4 to 5 ft from the operator’s station. The pilot lost control of the UAS as it moved towards his position causing the pilot to duck behind the operator’s barrier. When he ducked, the UAS’s right-rear propeller struck his left hand resulting in a serious injury. The UAS descended and crashed into terrain resulting in substantial damage to the right-rear arm and propeller. The operator sent the UAS on-board data to the manufacturer for decoding. The manufacturer’s report found that about 1 second after the UAS started up, a joystick input was received which paused the UAS’s takeoff. A couple seconds later, additional control inputs were recorded and the UAS responded accordingly. The data found no mechanical malfunction or failure with all engine parameters in the normal range. ## Aircraft - Registration: None (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: XAG P150 MAX - Category: Helicopter, unmanned - Serial number: 186325P18227551MS810 - Year built: 2026 - Airframe hours: 30 - Engines: XAG 6 horsepower electric; XAG 6 horsepower electric; XAG 6 horsepower electric; XAG 6 horsepower electric - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Volo LLC - Registered owner: Volo LLC - Airworthiness certificate: None - Last inspection: Condition, April 6, 2026 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; injuries: serious; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 19, 2025; seat: none; restraint: none; flight hours: 411 total, 10 in this make and model, 48 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 77 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: KRZL, 13 nm away - METAR: METAR KRZL 021315Z AUTO 22006KT 10SM CLR 27/25 A3010 RMK AO2 ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 1, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203349. 19.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 4.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20719939&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=cen26la245%20ntsb%20form%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Manufacturer's report (item 2, PDF, 9 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20873702&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=XAG%20Report%2007-03-2026%20-%20FLA20260703JZ01_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 2 photos, 942 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20700131&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=cen26la245%20photos-Rel.pdf - Accident video (item 4, MP4, 11.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20871961&FileExtension=mp4&FileName=Crash%20Video%20from%20Drone%201782994353505-Rel.mp4 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.