# NTSB WPR26LA194: Autogyro Cavalon, N40CT, Palo Alto, CA, May 13, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 13, 2026, 15:35 local (22:35 UTC) - Place: Palo Alto, CA · PAO - Coordinates: 37.46, -122.12 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4600&lon=-122.1200&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 1, 2026 - 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): 203008 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR26LA194 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203008/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203008 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA194 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, in gusting crosswind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: crosswind correction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Chris Toeppen CAVALON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md?model=05637NH), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Chris Toeppen CAVALON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05637NH), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Chris Toeppen CAVALON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05637NH), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Chris Toeppen CAVALON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=05637NH), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Chris Toeppen CAVALON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=05637NH), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Chris Toeppen CAVALON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=05637NH), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Chris Toeppen CAVALON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=05637NH), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Chris Toeppen CAVALON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05637NH), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097); cases with it: [Chris Toeppen CAVALON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=05637NH), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md) ## Analysis 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N40CT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N40CT), registered now, S/N V00300, built 2018 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AUTOGYRO CAVALON - Registry model: [Chris Toeppen CAVALON](https://openairdocs.org/model/chris-toeppen-cavalon) (registry code 05637NH) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 914UL](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-914ul) (registry code 55553, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: V00300 - Year built: 2018 - Airframe hours: 200 - Engines: ROTAX 914UL 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, April 15, 2026, 3 hours before - Departed: O69, Petaluma, CA - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: KPAO, Palo Alto Airport, runway 31, 2,441 × 70 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 79; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 6, 2024; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,662 total, 148 in this make and model, 1,389 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 12 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: KPAO - METAR: METAR KPAO 132047Z 29012G19KT 10SM SKC 21/09 A3013 ## 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 20260513009579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260513009579A), May 13, 2026: Chris Toeppen CAVALON, Palo Alto, CA, Substantial damage. 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.… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 1, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203008. 2.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20493795&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%206120.1_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 311 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20493606&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20photos-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.