# NTSB ERA26LA119: Tabor W Coates AR-1, N220SM, Kissimmee, FL, February 17, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: February 17, 2026, 12:05 local (17:05 UTC) - Place: Kissimmee, FL · Kissimmee Gateway Airport - Coordinates: 28.287611, -81.43558 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.2876&lon=-81.4356&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 7, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 202463 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA26LA119 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202463/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA119 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to obtain the proper rotor rpm during the takeoff roll which resulted in a loss of control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Tabor W Coates AR-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05638S1), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: prop/rotor parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Tabor W Coates AR-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md?model=05638S1), [All aircraft, 182 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Tabor W Coates AR-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05638S1), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Tabor W Coates AR-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05638S1), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the gyroplane began the takeoff roll and attempted to build rotor rpm. He reported that at rotation, his rotor speed was marginal, and the rotor blades began to flap before contacting the gyroplane’s tail. The pilot then lost control of the gyroplane, and it impacted the runway and rolled onto its side. The fuselage and tail of the gyroplane were substantially damaged during the accident sequence. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the gyroplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N220SM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N220SM), registered now, S/N 0029, built 2019 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: TABOR W COATES AR-1 - Registry model: [Tabor W Coates AR-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/tabor-w-coates-ar-1) (registry code 05638S1) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 0029 - Year built: 2019 - Airframe hours: 249 - Engines: Rotax 912ULS 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, April 28, 2025, 6 hours before - Airport: ISM, Kissimmee Gateway, runway 15, 6,001 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: minor; private, sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot, unknown; last flight review January 14, 2026; seat: center; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 409.32 total, 36.6 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: ISM, 1 nm away - METAR: METAR KISM 171656Z 11011KT 10SM CLR 24/14 A3021 RMK AO2 SLP229 T02390139 $ ## 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 20260217000589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260217000589A), Feb 17, 2026: Tabor W Coates AR-1, Kissimmee, FL, Substantial damage. Private and sport pilot (with gyroplane endorsement) rated pilot attempted to depart runway 15 at kism in an experimental (operating amateur-built) AR-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. --- 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.