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NTSB Report

September 29, 2021 · Just Aircraft Highlander NO Series · N419SD

West Cobb, AR

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 29, 2021
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
West Cobb, AR
Aircraft
Just Aircraft Highlander NO Series (2008)
Tail Number
N419SD
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN21LA471

The pilot reported he departed from the airport to practice a short takeoff and landing (commonly known as “STOL”) race circuit in preparation for a race that was going to occur at the airport. As the pilot was on approach for landing, he noticed the wind speed had increased while he was turning base to final at 60 ft agl. The pilot had a 16-mph buffer above the airplane’s aerodynamic stall speed, with two notches of flaps applied, and a 15° bank turn. The airplane was then “hit by a gust” that elevated the right wing to about 30° of bank. The pilot attempted to correct the high bank angle with no success. He reported “all of my lift disappeared,” and the airplane became uncontrollable at about 55 ft agl. The pilot concluded that a “large tail wind shear” aerodynamically stalled the airplane, and he was unable to recover at the low altitude with the various obstacles and structures present on the STOL race circuit course. The airplane “pancaked” and came to rest upright in a field, next to a fence line. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe and engine that would have precluded normal operation. A review of meteorological data showed that gusting wind conditions and low-level wind shear were likely present in the area at the time of the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The airplane’s encounter with gusting wind conditions and low-level wind shear on final approach, which resulted in a loss of control, an aerodynamic stall, and a subsequent hard landing.

Full Narrative

The pilot reported he departed from the airport to practice a short takeoff and landing (commonly known as “STOL”) race circuit in preparation for a race that was going to occur at the airport. As the pilot was on approach for landing, he noticed the wind speed had increased while he was turning base to final at 60 ft agl. The pilot had a 16-mph buffer above the airplane’s aerodynamic stall speed, with two notches of flaps applied, and a 15° bank turn. The airplane was then “hit by a gust” that elevated the right wing to about 30° of bank. The pilot attempted to correct the high bank angle with no success. He reported “all of my lift disappeared,” and the airplane became uncontrollable at about 55 ft agl. The pilot concluded that a “large tail wind shear” aerodynamically stalled the airplane, and he was unable to recover at the low altitude with the various obstacles and structures present on the STOL race circuit course. The airplane “pancaked” and came to rest upright in a field, next to a fence line. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe and engine that would have precluded normal operation. A review of meteorological data showed that gusting wind conditions and low-level wind shear were likely present in the area at the time of the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 CDT
Nearest AirportByrd'S Backcountry Airstrip (0nm WSW)
Runway07/2
Runway Length2500 ft
Runway Width30 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftJust Aircraft Highlander NO Series
Tail NumberN419SD
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 912 ULS · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 47 · First Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4400 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter29.92 inHg
Observation Time13:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data