Rotorsport CAVALON N726CA

Summary

On 7 October 2024 at about 23:00 local time, a Rotorsport CAVALON registered N726CA was involved in an accident near Chico, California, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

7 October 2024 at 23:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Chico, California, United States

Nearest airport

Chico Regional Airport (KCIC)

Coordinates

39.7460, -121.8027

Aircraft

Rotorsport CAVALON

Registration

N726CA

Category

Gyrocraft

Year built

2018

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

San Carlos → Chico

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Dawn

NTSB number

WPR25LA005

2 people were seriously injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed resulting in an inadvertent descent and subsequent collision with trees.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.