Just Aircraft LLC JA 30 Superstol accident near Clover, South Carolina, August 15, 2020
On August 15, 2020 at about 7:30 pm local time, a 2016 Just Aircraft LLC JA 30 Superstol, an amateur-built aircraft,, registered N146BB, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Clover, South Carolina (N/A airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The separation of a spark plug lead, resulting in a partial loss of engine power and collision with trees.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 15, 2020 · about 7:30 pm local time
- Place
- Clover, South Carolina · N/A · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Just Aircraft LLC JA 30 Superstol, built 2016, amateur-built
- Registration
- N146BB · no longer on the register · serial JA335-12-13
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, during the initial takeoff, the airplane was not developing adequate lift and was not climbing as expected. He maneuvered to avoid trees at the end of the runway; however, the airplane collided with the trees and the pilot lost airplane control. The airplane came to rest in a wooded area and sustained substantial damage. Examination of the engine revealed adequate fuel for the flight. Further examination of the engine revealed that one of the spark plug leads became disconnected and there was no postaccident impact damage in this area. The separated spark plug lead most likely resulted in a partial loss of engine power during takeoff.
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 uncontrolled descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during initial climb
- Loss of engine power (partial) during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng wiring › Malfunction
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Climb rate › Attain/maintain not possible
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,402 hours in all; 350 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 250 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, February 20, 2020
- Maximum gross weight: 1,320 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912S (piston); 250 hours total
The flight
- Destination: AKH Gastonia NC
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 32, 1,000 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 110° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 2,100 ft
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 29.81 inHg
- Observation at 8:42 pm from KAKH, 5 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on May 4, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 2 | NTSB Memorandum for Record - Pilot Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | NTSB Memorandum for Record - FAA Inspector Statement | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Photo Array | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.