Amateur-built HIGHLANDER accident near Delta, Colorado, November 2, 2025
On November 2, 2025 at about 11:30 pm local time, a 2018 amateur-built HIGHLANDER, registered N622SC, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute near Delta, Colorado. It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 2, 2025 · about 11:30 pm local time
- Place
- Delta, Colorado · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built HIGHLANDER, built 2018
- Registration
- N622SC · registry record · serial JA501-12-16
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On November 2, 2025, about 1630 mountain standard time, an experimental amateur-built Just Highlander airplane, N622SC, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Delta, Colorado. The flight instructor and student pilot were seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. According to the flight instructor, the purpose of the flight was an introduction to tailwheel operations for the student pilot, who was also the airplane owner. The flight instructor stated that after about an hour of performing maneuvers, they were planning to return to the departure airport to practice landings. While maneuvering to enter the airport traffic pattern, the flight instructor noticed some engine roughness and diverted toward Westwinds Airport (D17), Delta, Colorado. The flight instructor stated that the engine instruments indicated normal readings, however the airplane was only producing partial power. The engine roughness continued, and the propeller stopped turning but the engine continued to operate with normal indications. The flight instructor noticed fluid running along the left side of the airplane and prepared for a forced landing on rough terrain. The airplane impacted the ground and came to rest inverted against a ravine wall. The airplane will be recovered to a secure location for future examination.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during enroute defining event
The aircraft
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: AJZ Delta CO at 8:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 230° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 23°F (-5°C)
- Altimeter: 30.23 inHg
- Observation at 4:35 pm from KAJZ, 4 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KAJZ 022335Z AUTO 23006KT 10SM CLR 20/M05 A3023 RMK AO2 T01951053,M
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N622SC the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.