What happened
On February 6, 2026, at 15:32 MST, a Tarragon aircraft, registration N35RR, was involved in an accident near Shawmut, Arizona. The flight was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 for personal use. The accident resulted in 1 fatality and 1 serious injury.
Flight track data from the aircraft's avionics suite shows the flight departed from Stellar Airpark (P19) in Chandler, Arizona, at approximately 14:39. The aircraft flew south-southwest for about 26 nautical miles before turning west. After flying another 26 nautical miles, the aircraft performed a full-stop landing at Gila Bend Municipal Airport (E63), followed by an immediate taxi back to the departure runway.
Following takeoff from E63, the aircraft flew east for approximately 14 nautical miles before turning northeast. The recorded flight data ended approximately 1 nautical mile after this turn. The accident site was located roughly 2.4 nautical miles north-northwest of the final recorded position.
The investigation
The aircraft was equipped with a Galaxy GRS Parachute Rescue System. Investigators found the parachute deployed at the scene, though the bonded-on panels covering the harness straps along the fuselage had not separated from the airframe. The rocket motor was located approximately 8'00 ft south of the main wreckage.
An examination of the primary flight control system showed no anomalies prior to impact. At the time of the accident, the landing gear was retracted and the flaps were up. Regarding the propeller, the hub remained attached to the engine flange. While one blade remained attached to the hub, the other two blades broke just outboard of the metal hub; these two blades were found in the immediate area of the wreckage. The propeller blades featured wood core construction with a composite covering and showed minimal damage.
An initial inspection of the engine revealed that the propeller flange could only be rotated a few degrees. Upon removing the No. 1 and No. 2 cylinders, investigators discovered that the end of the No. 2 connecting rod that attaches to the crankshaft had failed.