Socata TBM700 accident near Kennesaw, Georgia, July 15, 2008
On July 15, 2008 at about 6:57 pm local time, a Socata TBM700, registered N484RJ, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Kennesaw, Georgia (Cobb County-Mccollum 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 failure to maintain airspeed during final approach resulting in an aerodynamic stall.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 15, 2008 · about 6:57 pm local time
- Place
- Kennesaw, Georgia · Cobb County-Mccollum Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Socata TBM700 A · all TBM700s on the register
- Registration
- N484RJ · no longer on the register · serial 333
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During approach to runway 9, the tower controller instructed the pilot to perform an “S” turn 3 miles from the runway. The pilot initiated the “S” turn to the left, and after turning back to the right towards the runway to complete the other half of the turn, the controller advised the pilot that he did not need to finish the maneuver, and could turn onto final approach. The last recorded ground speed was 89 knots when the pilot banked the airplane sharply to the left at this time, witnesses stated that the airplane seemed to do a wing over onto its back and go straight down. Flight simulation tests revealed that while making a steep turn and not adding power, as the bank angle increased the airspeed would decrease and the airplane would enter an aerodynamic stall. Toxicology testing indicated that the pilot had been using tramadol, a prescription painkiller with potentially impairing effects. The pilot had not reported its use on his most recent application for airman medical certificate approximately 20 months prior to the accident. It is unclear what role, if any, the medication or the condition for which it might have been used played in the accident. The pilot had accumulated over 975 hours of total time in all aircraft and 44.3 hours total time in the accident airplane.
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
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during approach (VFR pattern final)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 975 hours in all; 44 in this make and model
- Last flight review: March 31, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 398 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, July 10, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 7,500 lb
- Seats: 7
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Pratt And Whitney PT6A-64 (turboprop); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: ABY Albany GA at 6:00 pm
- Destination: RYY Kennesaw GA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 09, 6,305 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: dawn
- Wind: from 120° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 5,500 ft; scat at 4,800 ft
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observation at 3:05 pm from RYY, 1 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.