Amateur-built SONEX accident near Chapmansboro, Tennessee, September 6, 2012
On September 6, 2012 at about 10:30 pm local time, a amateur-built SONEX, registered N484PC, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Chapmansboro, Tennessee (Whifferdill Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff initial climb.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 6, 2012 · about 10:30 pm local time
- Place
- Chapmansboro, Tennessee · Whifferdill Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built SONEX
- Registration
- N484PC · no longer on the register · serial 199
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to conduct takeoffs and landings in the airport traffic pattern; he had not flown the airplane for 6 months. Prior to initiating the departure, the pilot confirmed that the flight control and flap systems were operating normally. Just after takeoff, the airplane banked "hard" to the left, and the pilot applied full right rudder and aileron control inputs to correct. The pilot reduced engine power and leveled the wings, and the airplane subsequently impacted trees. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. According to a local weather observation facility, wind was reported as calm at the time of the accident.
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 initial climb
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Lateral/bank control › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › Recent experience w/ equipment › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,167 hours in all; 2 in this make and model; 0 in the last 90 days; 0 in the last 30 days; 1,046 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: December 6, 2006
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 860 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, June 1, 2011; 4 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,150 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Jabiru 3300 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TN77 Chapmansboro TN at 10:30 pm
- Destination: TN77 Chapmansboro TN
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 20, 3,200 ft by 200 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear at 4,500 ft
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observation at 10:30 pm from KCKV, 22 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.