Pilot Debrief

JUST HIGHLANDER near Delta, CO — 2025-11-02

Investigation ongoingCEN26LA032
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Date
2025-11-02
Location
Delta, CO, USA
Aircraft
JUST HIGHLANDER
Registration
N622SC
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

NTSB has not published a probable cause for this accident yet. Preliminary reports describe what happened; the cause is determined later, often 12–24 months after the event.

NTSB narrative

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.

Preliminary NTSB coding

  • Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) · Enroute
View NTSB preliminary report

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