# NTSB WPR25LA005: Rotorsport Cavalon, N726CA, Chico, CA, October 7, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 7, 2024, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Chico, CA - Coordinates: 39.745952, -121.80271 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7460&lon=-121.8027&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 195278 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR25LA005 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195278/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195278 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA005 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed resulting in an inadvertent descent and subsequent collision with trees. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Ability to respond/compensate - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause) ## Analysis 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. ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) (defining event) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N726CA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N726CA), registered now, S/N RSUK-V00426 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROTORSPORT CAVALON (UNDESIGNATED SERIES) - Registry model: [Rotorsport UK CAVALON](https://openairdocs.org/model/rotorsport-uk-cavalon) (registry code 7980111) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane - Serial number: RSUK-V00426 - Year built: 2018 - Airframe hours: 207 - Engines: Rotax 915 141 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Other - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 12, 2024, 10 hours before - Departed: SQL, San Carlos, CA - Destination: CIC, Chico, CA - Airport: KCIC, Chico Regional Airport - Equipment: Satellite tracking device, ADS-B, Angle of attack indicator, Heads up display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 24, 2024; seat: right; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 120.9 total, 45.4 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn - Wind: 230° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 100 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.82 inHg - Observed at: KCIC, 4 nm away - METAR: KCIC 072252Z 23010KT 10SM FEW065 38/03 A2982 ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20241007015009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20241007015009A), Oct 7, 2024: Rotorsport Uk Ltd CAVALON, Chico, CA, Substantial damage. The pilot reported in a telephone statement that he was cleared to land and on final approach for Chico on 10/7/2024. The pilot decided to deviate from the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 20, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195278. 31.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 29.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18172024&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20REDUCED%20Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 2 photos, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18172068&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos-Rel.pdf 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.