Airplane Had Come To Rest, Nose Down With The Empennage In A Near Vertical Position

Location: Boswell, OK Accident Number: CEN22LA321
Date & Time: July 17, 2022, 20:00 Local Registration: N7514N
Aircraft: Just Highlander Injuries: 2 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On July 17, 2022, about 2000 central daylight time, a Just Highlander airplane, N7514N, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Boswell, Oklahoma.

The pilot and student pilot sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to the family members and friends of the two occupants, the purpose of the local area flight was to conduct low-level flight operations over and on the Red River. The Red River flows from the west to the east and separates Oklahoma and Texas. The experimental tailwheel airplane was equipped with tundra tires, that facilitates off-airport landings and takeoffs.

The airplane departed from the Jones Field Airport (F00), Bonham, Texas, around 1925. The pilot was seated in the left seat and the student pilot was seated in the right seat. The student pilot texted a family member at 1928, that the airplane was airborne. The expected return time back to F00 was undetermined.

After not hearing back from either occupant, concerned family members initiated a search and found the wreckage around 0200 on July 18, 2022. The airplane had come to rest, nose down with the empennage in a near vertical position, on a remote island in the Red River. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and to both wings. The wreckage is pending recovery for a future examination.

A review of astronomical data showed that on the day of the accident, sunset was at 2035. The estimated density altitude for the accident site was 3,060 ft above msl.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov