Amateur-built JUST HIGHLANDER accident near Birdsboro, Pennsylvania, August 27, 2014
On August 27, 2014 at about 7:30 pm local time, a 2014 amateur-built JUST HIGHLANDER, registered N61148, was destroyed in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Birdsboro, Pennsylvania (Bert'S Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper landing flare and recovery from a bounced landing resulting in loss of aircraft control.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 27, 2014 · about 7:30 pm local time
- Place
- Birdsboro, Pennsylvania · Bert'S Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built JUST HIGHLANDER NO SERIES, built 2014
- Registration
- N61148 · no longer on the register · serial JA2890213
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, he taxied to the active runway for takeoff. The takeoff was normal and he turned downwind for a practice landing. During the landing flare the airplane "bounced," and power was added in an attempt to perform a go-around. The airplane "stalled" and impacted the runway resulting in a post-crash fire that destroyed the airplane. The pilot did not report any mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation prior to the accident.
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
- Abnormal runway contact during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Loss of control in flight during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Landing flare › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight engineer
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 16,800 hours in all; 16,800 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 992 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912ULS (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: PS38 Birdsboro PA at 7:15 pm
- Destination: PS38 Birdsboro PA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 26, 2,264 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 4,600 ft
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observation at 7:54 pm from PTW, 9 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.