# NTSB CEN24LA352: Just Highlander, N91ZS, Clarksdale, MS, September 11, 2024

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: September 11, 2024, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Clarksdale, MS
- Coordinates: 34.296884, -90.511017
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2969&lon=-90.5110&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 195106
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN24LA352
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195106/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195106
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA352

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain control during takeoff in gusting crosswind conditions.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Brian Deem JUST ACFT HIGHLANDER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=05634GE), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Brian Deem JUST ACFT HIGHLANDER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=05634GE), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Brian Deem JUST ACFT HIGHLANDER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=05634GE), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Brian Deem JUST ACFT HIGHLANDER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05634GE), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Brian Deem JUST ACFT HIGHLANDER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=05634GE), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that there was a large weather system in the area which resulted in gusting wind conditions. During takeoff roll in the tailwheel airplane, the tail lifted off the runway and the airplane accelerated. Before the airplane reached takeoff speed, the airplane yawed 30° left due to a gust of wind. The pilot stated that he remained in control of the airplane and continued the takeoff as he climbed to 6 to 8 ft above the ground. The wind gust ceased, and the airplane descended into a cotton field where it sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage and right wing. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident the airplane was taking off on runway 18 with winds 090o at 15 kts with gusts to 20 kts.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N91ZS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N91ZS), registered now, S/N JA391-07-14, built 2017 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Just Aircraft Highlander (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Brian Deem JUST ACFT HIGHLANDER](https://openairdocs.org/model/brian-deem-just-acft-highlander) (registry code 05634GE) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: JA391-07-14
- Year built: 2017
- Airframe hours: 786.3
- Engines: Rotax 912ULS 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, July 2, 2024
- Destination: MKO, Muskogee, OK
- Airport: CKM, Fletcher Fld, runway 18, 5,404 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: ADS-B, Stall warning system, Satellite tracking device, Onboard weather, Handheld GPS, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Angle of attack indicator, Auto-pilot

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 75; injuries: minor; commercial, military, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 3, 2023; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 3,734 total, 706 in this make and model, 3,355 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 90 °F
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observed at: KCKM
- METAR: KCKM 112055Z AUTO 08011KT 10SM 32/32 A2990 RMK A01

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20240911012839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240911012839A), Sep 11, 2024: Brian Deem JUST ACFT HIGHLANDER, Clarksdale, MS, Substantial damage. Departing runway 18, kckm, pilot lost directional control due to wind gusts.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 20, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195106. 4.9 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 4.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17743961&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20-%20Pilot_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 3 photos, 642 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17743656&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos-Rel.pdf

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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