Mark Lee Schillinger GT-VX2 accident near Petaluma, California, July 30, 2026
On July 30, 2026 at about 2:00 am local time, a 2025 Mark Lee Schillinger GT-VX2 (gyroplane), registered N556GT, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Petaluma, California. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries.
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 30, 2026 · about 2:00 am local time
- Place
- Petaluma, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- not recorded
- Aircraft
- Mark Lee Schillinger GT-VX2, built 2025
- Registration
- N556GT · registry record · serial VX2-011
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff defining event
The aircraft
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
Weather at the time
- Wind: from 240° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 29.85 inHg
- Observation at 5:00 pm from KO69, 1 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KO69 292355Z AUTO 24010KT 9SM CLR 25/11 A2985 RMK A01
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
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.