Amateur-built STOL CH 750 accident near Sewanee, Tennessee, October 14, 2020
On October 14, 2020 at about 6:03 pm local time, a 2016 amateur-built STOL CH 750, registered N750JD, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Sewanee, Tennessee (Franklin County 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 airplane’s encounter with a downdraft during the initial climb, which resulted in an impact with trees.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 14, 2020 · about 6:03 pm local time
- Place
- Sewanee, Tennessee · Franklin County Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built STOL CH 750, built 2016
- Registration
- N750JD · no longer on the register · serial 75-8735
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was taking off from a 3,700-ft-long runway and described that during the initial climb at an altitude of around 40 feet, the airplane encountered a downdraft from wind gusting over trees next to the runway. He further reported that the engine was developing full power, but the airplane was unable to climb out of the downdraft. The airplane impacted trees at the departure end of the runway, and the fuselage and right wing were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Other weather encounter during initial climb
- Collision during takeoff/land during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Climb rate › Attain/maintain not possible
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Turbulence › Terrain induced turbulence › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 159.3 hours in all; 97.8 in this make and model; 7.4 in the last 90 days; 7.4 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 50 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, October 8, 2020; 45.6 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,320 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: General Motors 167.C.I. (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: 2A0 Dayton TN
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 6, 3,700 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 6 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observation at 12:55 pm from KBGF, 9 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KBGF 141755Z AUTO 17006G12KT 10SM CLR 24/08 A3005 RMK A01
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on June 24, 2021. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot Interview Summary | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Area Weather Reports | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Investigative Photographs | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.