# NTSB CEN26LA298: Rotor Effects M24 Plus, N91JL, Waelder, TX, August 15, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 15, 2026, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Waelder, TX - Coordinates: 29.647816, -97.399009 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6478&lon=-97.3990&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - 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: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 203652 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN26LA298 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203652/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203652 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA298 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper execution of rejected takeoff procedures, which resulted in loss of control and subsequent runway excursion. ## 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: [Rotor Effects M24 PLUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05643LA), [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: [Rotor Effects M24 PLUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05643LA), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Rotor Effects M24 PLUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=05643LA), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Rotor Effects M24 PLUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05643LA), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N91JL](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N91JL), registered now, S/N 24256046, built 2025 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROTOR EFFECTS LLC M24 PLUS - Registry model: [Rotor Effects M24 PLUS](https://openairdocs.org/model/rotor-effects-m24-plus) (registry code 05643LA) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 915 IS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-915-is-series) (registry code 55620, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane - Serial number: 24256046 - Year built: 2025 - Airframe hours: 43 - Engines: Rotax 915iS 141 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jeff Locke - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Destination: T20, Gonzales, TX - Airport: PVT, Private, runway NA, 600 × 30 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: minor; airline transport, military, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 4, 2026; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 19,835 total, 43.3 in this make and model, 12,670 as pilot in command, 81 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 8 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 81 °F ## 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 20260815011439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260815011439A), Aug 15, 2026: Rotor Effects LLC M24 PLUS, Waelder, TX, Substantial damage. On August 15, 2026, at approximately 0900 local time, a magni M24 gyroplane was involved in an accident during takeoff from a 600-foot grass runway. The pilot… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 1, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203652. 4.3 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20872878&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot's statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 32 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20848828&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilots%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 3, PDF, 5 pages, 4 photos, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20850850&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN26LA298%20Photos-Rel.pdf 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.