# NTSB ERA25LA051: James A Gray Just Aircraft Highlander, N102XP, Fountain Inn, SC, November 18, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: November 18, 2024, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Fountain Inn, SC · Trees near end of runway 23 - Coordinates: 34.719666, -82.104197 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7197&lon=-82.1042&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: Rotech, FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 195524 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA25LA051 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195524/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195524 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA051 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Turbocharging (recip only)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058100): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [James A Gray JUST AIRCRAFT HIGHLA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058100/cases.md?model=056323M), [All aircraft, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058100/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event); cases with it: [James A Gray JUST AIRCRAFT HIGHLA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=056323M), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [James A Gray JUST AIRCRAFT HIGHLA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=056323M), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that during the initial climb after takeoff, the engine suddenly lost all power. Since there were no open areas ahead, he elected to perform a forced landing in the treetops. Once the airplane settled into the trees, it fell to the ground, and the pilot and was met by first responders. An examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal evidence of a preexisting mechanical malfunction or failure. The engine was secured on a forklift and successfully started, and it ran several times. The reason for the loss of engine power was not determined. ## Factual narrative On November 18, 2024, about 1530 eastern standard time, an experimental amateur-built Just Aircraft Highlander airplane, N102XP, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Fountain Inn, South Carolina. The airline transport pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that his preflight inspection and ground operation of the airplane were routine. During the initial climb after takeoff, the engine suddenly lost all power. Since there were no open areas ahead, he elected to perform a forced landing in the treetops. Once the airplane settled into the trees, it fell to the ground and came to rest about 1/4-mile past the departure end of the turf runway. He secured the airplane and was met by first responders. FAA inspectors responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. The airplane came to rest upright against trees. There was no fire. Substantial damage was confirmed to the fuselage, empennage, and right wing. The wreckage was recovered to a salvage facility, where further examination was performed. The engine sustained minor damage. The spark plugs were normal in color and wear when compared to a manufacturer’s inspection chart. Internal engine continuity and compression were confirmed. There was fuel inside both carburetor bowls. No obstructions were found in the fuel system. The oil and cooling systems were intact. After repair to one intake manifold and reattaching the associated carburetor, the engine was prepared for a test run. After securing it on a forklift, the engine started on the first attempt. A run was performed using the electric fuel pump, and then again using only the engine-driven pump. No anomalies were found during the engine runs that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N102XP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N102XP-2025-01-08), registration cancelled 2025-01-08, S/N JA204-04-10 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: JAMES A GRAY JUST AIRCRAFT HIGHLANDER - Registry model: [James A Gray JUST AIRCRAFT HIGHLA](https://openairdocs.org/model/james-a-gray-just-aircraft-highla) (registry code 056323M) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Jabiru 3300](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jabiru-3300) (registry code 34802, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: JA204-04-10 - Year built: 2013 - Airframe hours: 192 - Engines: Rotax 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, December 3, 2024 - Airport: N/A, Private, runway 23, 2,200 × 75 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Stall warning system, Electronic multifunction display, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: minor; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 16, 2024; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 9,987 total, 145 in this make and model, 9,722 as pilot in command, 112 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.99 inHg - Observed at: KLUX, 15 nm away - METAR: METAR KLUX 182015Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 22/10 A2999 RMK AO2 ## 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 20241118018809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20241118018809A), Nov 18, 2024: James A Gray JUST AIRCRAFT HIGHLA, Fountain Inn, SC, Substantial damage. The pilot was unable to sustain flight due to lack of powerplant thrust. Engine lost power due to unknown reasons. ## Other investigations on N102XP (1) 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. - [NTSB GAA19CA156](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA156), Mar 7, 2019: James A Gray Just Aircraft (N102XP), Marysville, OH, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing, and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in a runway excursion and ground loop. ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 4, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195524. 7.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18403088&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=1%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18403263&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=2a%20Investigation%20Photographs-Rel.pdf - Examination summary (item 3, PDF, 6 pages, 148 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18402196&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=3%20NTSB%20Examination%20Summary-Rel.pdf - Rotax maintenance manual excerpt (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 81 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18402320&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=4%20Maintenance%20Manual%20Line%20for%20Engine%20Type%20912%20Series%20Edition%204%20Revision%201%20(10)-Rel.pdf - Rotax service bulletin SB-912-063UL R2 (item 5, PDF, 16 pages, 2.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18402206&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=5%20SB-912-063-UL_Replacement%20of%20Fuel%20Pumps%20for%20Rotax%20Engine%20Type%20912%20(Series)%20(1)-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.