Sabre Tukan accident near Mohawk, Tennessee, October 12, 2008
On October 12, 2008 at about 12:06 pm local time, a Sabre Tukan (weight-shift aircraft), registered N75604, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Mohawk, Tennessee (Cooper Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's loss of control in flight due to a lack of flight experience or instruction. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to the recent use of marijuana and a prescription painkiller.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 12, 2008 · about 12:06 pm local time
- Place
- Mohawk, Tennessee · Cooper Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Sabre Tukan
- Registration
- N75604 · no longer on the register · serial STII16M503-D
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Witnesses reported strong gusting wind from the east, but the pilot elected to take off to the west. During the takeoff roll, the aircraft dragged the left wing on the turf runway and nearly collided with a camper. The aircraft climbed between 100 and 150 feet above ground level, and made a “hard left turn” before it entered a nose-down descent and impacted terrain. Witnesses described the engine sound as “wide open” throughout the takeoff and accident sequence. A search of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)records revealed that the pilot held no pilot certificates, nor was there any record of his applying for an FAA medical certificate. A family member reported that the pilot elected to take his first flight in the aircraft solo and without prior instruction. Toxicology testing was consistent with impairment due to recent use of marijuana and a prescription painkiller.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control in flight during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › Total experience › Pilot
- factor Personnel issues › Physical › Impairment/incapacitation › Illicit drug › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Flight time: 0 hours in all
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: frt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 350 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, January 13, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Mohawk TN at 12:05 pm
- Destination: Mohawk TN
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 27, 3,000 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 040° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 6,500 ft
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.30 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 am from TYS, 40 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.