Amateur-built SONEX accident near Tellico Plains, Tennessee, August 5, 2025
On August 5, 2025 at about 3:31 pm local time, a 2015 amateur-built SONEX, registered N67BG, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Tellico Plains, Tennessee (Tellico Plains Muni airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 5, 2025 · about 3:31 pm local time
- Place
- Tellico Plains, Tennessee · Tellico Plains Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built SONEX NO SERIES, built 2015
- Registration
- N67BG · registry record · serial 1599
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On August 5, 2025, about 1131 eastern daylight time, a Lewinski Sonex, N67BG, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Tellico Plains, Tennessee. The private pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14?Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot stated that in anticipation of an intended buyer coming to take possession of the airplane in several days, he washed it then performed several taxi tests. During one taxi run he noted a violent shake that stopped when he applied aft control input. He attributed the issue to be related to the nose wheel bearing. He then elected to fly once around the traffic pattern and after takeoff, with one notch of flaps extended, reported the airplane pulled suddenly to the left which he could not correct. Approaching trees ahead, he pulled aft on the control yoke and believed the airplane stalled. The airplane descended uncontrolled and came to rest in trees about 10 to 12 ft above ground level. A fire began in the engine compartment and with some difficulty he exited the cockpit and jumped to the ground. He reported no issues with the engine at any time during the flight. The pilot further stated that there was no failure or malfunction of the flight controls during his preflight check, or as part of a check before departure. Because he was wearing knee length cotton shorts, he sustained second-degree burns on the lower portion of one of his legs and first-degree burns on the lower portion of his other leg. The postcrash fire extensively damaged the cockpit area of the wreckage, which was recovered for further examination.
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
- Flight control sys malf/fail during takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
- Fire/smoke (post-impact) during post (impact)
- Loss of control in flight during takeoff
- Abrupt maneuver during takeoff
The aircraft
- Last inspection: condition inspection
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 5, 3,000 ft by 35 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 3,800 ft
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.26 inHg
- Observation at 11:33 am from KRHP, 24 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KRHP 051533Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM BKN038 BKN044 OVC060 24/18 A3026 RMK AO2 T02370179
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check 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.