Tabor W Coates AR-1 N220SM

Summary

On 17 February 2026 at about 17:05 local time, a Tabor W Coates AR-1 registered N220SM was involved in an accident near Kissimmee, Florida, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

17 February 2026 at 17:05

Classification

Accident

Location

Kissimmee, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Kissimmee Gateway (ISM)

Coordinates

28.2876, -81.4356

Aircraft

Tabor W Coates AR-1

Registration

N220SM

Category

Gyrocraft

Year built

2019

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA26LA119

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s failure to obtain the proper rotor rpm during the takeoff roll which resulted in a loss of control.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.