Amateur-built CAVALON accident near Palo Alto, California, May 13, 2026
On May 13, 2026 at about 10:35 pm local time, a 2018 amateur-built CAVALON (gyroplane), registered N40CT, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Palo Alto, California (Palo Alto Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, in gusting crosswind conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 13, 2026 · about 10:35 pm local time
- Place
- Palo Alto, California · Palo Alto Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built CAVALON, built 2018
- Registration
- N40CT · registry record · serial V00300
- 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 gyrocopter reported that during his approach to land on runway 31, the reported wind information indicated a gusting crosswind from the left. On final approach the gyrocopter required left stick and right rudder inputs to remain lined up with the runway. The pilot queried the air traffic control tower for the current wind conditions prior to landing, and was told 250° at 13 knots, gusting to 20 knots. The pilot intended to touch down with the left main landing gear wheel first, however, a wind gust pushed the gyrocopter to the right and the right main landing gear wheel “came down hard.” The pilot released the crosswind correction input and moved the control stick to the center, and the gyrocopter continued toward the right side of the runway. The gyrocopter subsequently exited the right side of the runway, rolled over and came to rest on its right side. The fuselage and main rotor driveshaft were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures 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
- Roll over during landing (landing roll)
- Other weather encounter during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Hard landing during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Loss of control on ground during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Crosswind correction › Not attained/maintained
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Crosswind › Effect on equipment
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Effect on equipment
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: gyroplane
- Flight time: 1,662 hours in all; 148 in this make and model; 8 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 1,389 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 6, 2024
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 200 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, April 15, 2026; 3 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,102 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 914UL (piston); 200 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: O69 Petaluma CA at 9:50 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 31, 2,441 ft by 70 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 12 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.13 inHg
- Observation at 1:47 pm from KPAO
Weather report (METAR): METAR KPAO 132047Z 29012G19KT 10SM SKC 21/09 A3013
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 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 July 1, 2026. 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 | Investigation 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.