Amateur-built Hyster accident near Lake Jackson, Texas, August 13, 2011
On August 13, 2011 at about 4:45 pm local time, a amateur-built Hyster, registered N7167S, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Lake Jackson, Texas (Bailes Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The improper maintenance of the throttle control cable, which resulted in the engine going to idle power after takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 13, 2011 · about 4:45 pm local time
- Place
- Lake Jackson, Texas · Bailes Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Hyster
- Registration
- N7167S · no longer on the register · serial AH0001
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The experimental airplane recently had a new engine and propeller installed, and an associate of the owner was going to test fly the airplane after the installation. Shortly after takeoff, the engine went to idle and the pilot was forced to land. While maneuvering toward an open field, the airplane collided with a power line, bounced hard on the ground, and flipped inverted. Postaccident examination of the engine and carburetor revealed that the set screw that held the throttle cable to the carburetor was loose. The cable could be moved freely by hand through the carburetor arm with no restriction. The cable showed no evidence that it had been scored or pulled when the engine separated during the accident. No marks were found where the set screw should have been tightened in place on the cable. In addition, when the cable was inserted back into the carburetor arm, it took one full turn of the set screw to make contact and secure the cable in place. The condition and lack of security of the throttle cable most likely resulted in a reduced fuel flow to the carburetor and the subsequent partial loss of engine power. Usable fuel was present in the airplane and no other malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine were found that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Loss of engine power (partial) during maneuvering defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Installation › Maintenance personnel
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine fuel and control › Fuel control/carburetor › Incorrect service/maintenance
Pilot
- Medical certificate: Unknown
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 159 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, July 6, 2011; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,050 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Volkswagon 2400cc (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 7R9 Angleton TX at 4:10 pm
- Destination: 7R9 Angleton TX
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 10 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 4,700 ft
- Temperature: 97°F (36°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observation at 5:17 pm from LBX, 3 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 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.