# NTSB CEN25LA137: Just Highlander, N7770J, Rusk, TX, March 26, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 26, 2025, 10:23 local (15:23 UTC) - Place: Rusk, TX - Coordinates: 31.8693, -95.2174 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8693&lon=-95.2174&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - North Texas FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 199918 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN25LA137 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/199918/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199918 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA137 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing with a crosswind. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; cases with it: [Robert James Heckel JUST ACFT HIGHLANDER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05642XJ), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Robert James Heckel JUST ACFT HIGHLANDER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=05642XJ), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robert James Heckel JUST ACFT HIGHLANDER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05642XJ), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Robert James Heckel JUST ACFT HIGHLANDER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=05642XJ), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Robert James Heckel JUST ACFT HIGHLANDER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05642XJ), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was attempting to land with a crosswind, and upon touchdown, a gust of wind lifted the right wing. The pilot attempted to correct with full right aileron but was unsuccessful. The airplane’s left wing contacted the ground, and the airplane came to rest inverted resulting in substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage, and the vertical stabilizer. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7770J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7770J), registered now, S/N JA631-06-21, built 2024 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: JUST HIGHLANDER - Registry model: [Robert James Heckel JUST ACFT HIGHLANDER](https://openairdocs.org/model/robert-james-heckel-just-acft-highlander) (registry code 05642XJ) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Yamaha SIDEWINDER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/yamaha-sidewinder) (registry code 80002, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: JA631-06-21 - Year built: 2024 - Airframe hours: 4 - Engines: Yamaha 998 Sidewinder 210 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, February 20, 2025 - Departed: T25, Frankston, TX - Destination: JSO, Jacksonville, TX - Airport: KJSO, Cherokee County, runway 32, 5,006 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Angle of attack indicator, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; military, private, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 3, 2024; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,500 total, 4 in this make and model, 300 as pilot in command, 58 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.24 inHg - Observed at: KJSO - METAR: KJSO 261515Z AUTO 05006KT 10SM OVC065 20/13 A3024 RMK AO2 T02030132,M ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 3, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199918. 2.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18796269&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 545 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18799431&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.