Leigh Aerosystems Corp E100 N1224E accident near Douglas, Arizona

Probable cause

Degraded engine and propeller performance during hot and high-density altitude operations, which resulted in a high descent rate and subsequent hard landing.

NTSB analysis

On June 26, 2026, about 1140 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Leigh Aerosystems E100 unmanned aircraft system (UAS) experienced a hard landing at Bisbee Douglas International Airport, Douglas, Arizona. At the time of the accident, the aircraft was operated by a remote pilot as a flight test under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 and a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Certificate of Authorization (COA). The aircraft sustained substantial damage and there were no injuries to ground personnel.

Figure 1. Leigh Aerosystems E100 UAS. (Source: Northrop Grumman)

According to the remote pilot, the intent of the flight was to test the aircraft’s hover capabilities and develop performance data for hot day conditions. The aircraft performed controlled flight up to a planned altitude of about 40 ft above ground level but then began to descend at a rate faster than planned. The aircraft subsequently experienced a hard landing about 10-15 ft from its takeoff location, resulting in the right spar and wing separating from the fuselage. The aircraft was subsequently shut down. Postaccident analysis by the operator of the flight test found that the high-density altitude (about 7,500 ft) at the time of the flight degraded both engine and propeller performance, which limited the maneuverability and controllability of the aircraft.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for DCA26LA285 for the full record.