Just HIGHLANDER N91ZS

Summary

On 11 September 2024 at about 21:00 local time, a Just HIGHLANDER registered N91ZS was involved in an accident near Clarksdale, Mississippi, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

11 September 2024 at 21:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Clarksdale, Mississippi, United States

Nearest airport

Fletcher Fld (CKM)

Coordinates

34.2969, -90.5110

Aircraft

Just HIGHLANDER

Registration

N91ZS

Category

Airplane

Year built

2017

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Muskogee

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN24LA352

Nobody was injured.

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

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.