Autogyro CAVALON N40CT

Summary

On 13 May 2026 at about 22:35 local time, a Autogyro CAVALON registered N40CT was involved in an accident near Palo Alto, California, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

13 May 2026 at 22:35

Classification

Accident

Location

Palo Alto, California, United States

Nearest airport

Palo Alto Airport (KPAO)

Coordinates

37.4600, -122.1200

Aircraft

Autogyro CAVALON

Registration

N40CT

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

Petaluma → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR26LA194

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, in gusting crosswind conditions.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.