ERA25LA290

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.