# Accident 20260513009579A: Chris Toeppen CAVALON, Palo Alto, CA, May 13, 2026

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 13, 2026, 15:35 local time
- Place: Palo Alto, CA
- Airport: Palo Alto
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Rollout
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 37.4600° N, 122.1200° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4600&lon=-122.1200&mi=10
- Aircraft: N40CT, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N40CT) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Chris Toeppen CAVALON (registry code 05637NH, https://openairdocs.org/model/chris-toeppen-cavalon) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Rotax 914UL (registry code 55553, https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-914ul) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHRIS TOEPPEN CAVALON
- Reported engine: ROTAX 914UL
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 1,662 total, 148 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR26LA194](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA194) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260513009579A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

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 DURING THE LANDING SEQUENCE 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, CAUSING THE GYROCOPTER TO CONTINUE 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 NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB WPR26LA194](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA194), May 13, 2026: Autogyro Cavalon (N40CT), Palo Alto, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, in gusting crosswind conditions.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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