Engine Failure Forces Fatal Landing of Tarragon Aircraft in Arizona

A Tarragon experimental light-sport aircraft registered N35RR suffered an engine failure caused by a failed No. 2 connecting rod, forcing a fatal emergency landing near Stellar Air Park in Chandler, Arizona, on Feb. 19, 2026.

The NTSB preliminary report notes the aircraft was at 3,000-4,300 feet when the engine failed. The pilot executed a best-glide approach at 85-90 knots and attempted an emergency landing on rough wash terrain. At impact, landing gear and flaps were retracted, flight controls remained intact, and the propeller hub stayed attached. A Galaxy GRS ballistic parachute deployed after impact, with the rocket motor found 800 feet south of the wreckage, indicating the system wasn't armed before the crash.

The Tarragon is a two-seat tandem experimental aircraft from Latvia, typically powered by a Rotax 912 engine. This flight used an Edge Performance-modified 912iS. The pilot was described as a seasoned airline captain from the Phoenix area. The incident highlights ongoing reliability concerns for modified engines in experimental light-sport aircraft, with similar engine-related incidents reported in early 2026. The NTSB will issue a final report once the investigation concludes.