Magni Gyro M24 Orion, N678HJ, incident occurred on February 24, 2026, at Denton Enterprise Airport (DTO/KDTO), Denton, Texas

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N678HJ

- History of Flight:
On February 24, 2026, at about 1430 local time, a Magni Gyro M24 Orion, N678HJ, sustained unknown, but apparent minor damage when it was involved in an incident at Denton Enterprise Airport (DTO/KDTO), Denton, Texas. The pilot was not injured.

The FAA reported: "Aircraft holding short of the runway for departure, encountered a gust of wind that separated the door from the aircraft." According to ADS-B data, the gyro starting taxiing to runway 18L at 1420 LT, and was holding short at 1430 LT, but it taxied back to the ramp at around 1446 LT (see figure).

According to weather information, at 1353 LT, the winds were from 200° at 20 knots, gusting 31 knots. At 1453 LT, the winds from 200° at 25 knots, gusting 34 knots.

According to the Magni M24 Orion Pilot Operating Handbook (POH):

4.8 TAXIING TO THE HOLDING POINT: 

WARNING: Taxiing with the doors closed is recommended if there is a strong wind or wind gusts. This to avoid damage to the doors and/or stress to the locking/hinge system.

4.8.3 CLOSING THE DOORS (Fig. 2) - Grab the frame of the door (1) and lower it; - close the door (1) pulling the knob (2); - engage the pins of the locking system lowering the lock lever (3). Visually check that both pins (front and rear) have engaged securely.

Figure: ADS-B data

Figure 2: POH Info

- Weather:

METAR KDTO 241953Z 20020G31KT 10SM CLR 21/M04 A2988 RMK AO2 PK WND 19032/1930 SLP115 T02111044 $

METAR KDTO 242053Z 20025G34KT 10SM CLR 22/M03 A2983 RMK AO2 PK WND 19034/2048 SLP099 T02171033 56048 $