Rotorsport CAVALON accident near Chico, California, October 7, 2024
On October 7, 2024 at about 11:00 pm local time, a 2018 Rotorsport CAVALON (gyroplane), registered N726CA, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Chico, California (Chico Regional Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed resulting in an inadvertent descent and subsequent collision with trees.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 7, 2024 · about 11:00 pm local time
- Place
- Chico, California · Chico Regional Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Rotorsport CAVALON UNDESIGNAT, built 2018
- Registration
- N726CA · registry record · serial RSUK-V00426
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the gyroplane reported that, while maneuvering at a low altitude over his property, he pulled back on the control stick to slow down and observe the area. He then noticed that he inadvertently allowed the airspeed to decay to zero, and the gyroplane was descending. In an attempt to recover, he applied full engine power and pitched forward to reestablish airspeed. However, the gyroplane was at too low of an altitude to recover from the descent. The gyroplane struck a tree and fell to the ground, resulting in substantial damage to the empennage and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the gyroplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of lift during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Ability to respond/compensate
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Effect on equipment
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: gyroplane
- Flight time: 120.9 hours in all; 45.4 in this make and model
- Last flight review: June 24, 2024
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
Passenger
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 207 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, September 12, 2024; 10 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,058 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 915 (piston); 207 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SQL San Carlos CA at 8:45 am
- Destination: CIC Chico CA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: dawn
- Wind: from 230° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 6,500 ft
- Temperature: 100°F (38°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 29.82 inHg
- Observation at 3:52 pm from KCIC, 4 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KCIC 072252Z 23010KT 10SM FEW065 38/03 A2982
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 2 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on March 20, 2025. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photos | PDF, 3 pages · our copy | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.