Amateur-built JUST AIRCRAFT HIGHLA accident near Fountain Inn, South Carolina, November 18, 2024
On November 18, 2024 at about 8:30 pm local time, a 2013 amateur-built JUST AIRCRAFT HIGHLA, registered N102XP, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Fountain Inn, South Carolina (Private 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
A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 18, 2024 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Fountain Inn, South Carolina · Private · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built JUST AIRCRAFT HIGHLA, built 2013
- Registration
- N102XP · no longer on the register · serial JA204-04-10
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that during the initial climb after takeoff, the engine suddenly lost all power. Since there were no open areas ahead, he elected to perform a forced landing in the treetops. Once the airplane settled into the trees, it fell to the ground, and the pilot and was met by first responders. An examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal evidence of a preexisting mechanical malfunction or failure. The engine was secured on a forklift and successfully started, and it ran several times. The reason for the loss of engine power was not determined.
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
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Unknown or undetermined during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Turbocharging (recip only) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: helicopter
- Flight time: 9,987 hours in all; 145 in this make and model; 112 in the last 90 days; 34 in the last 30 days; 9,722 as pilot in command; 1,243 on instruments
- Last flight review: March 16, 2024
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 192 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, December 3, 2024
- Maximum gross weight: 1,550 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912ULS (piston); 192 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 23, 2,200 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 29.99 inHg
- Observation at 3:15 pm from KLUX, 15 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KLUX 182015Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 22/10 A2999 RMK AO2
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 3 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on June 4, 2025. 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, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Investigation Photographs | PDF, 4 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 3 | Examination Summary | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Rotax Maintenance Manual Excerpt | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Rotax Service Bulletin SB-912-063UL R2 | PDF, 16 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N102XP 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.