Amateur-built AIR CAM accident near Liberty Hill, Texas, January 20, 2024
On January 20, 2024 at about 7:20 pm local time, a 2015 amateur-built AIR CAM, registered N1230R, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Liberty Hill, Texas (Fly Navy airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The reported simultaneous and total loss of engine power to both engines during a power reduction for reasons that could not be determined.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 20, 2024 · about 7:20 pm local time
- Place
- Liberty Hill, Texas · Fly Navy · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built AIR CAM, built 2015
- Registration
- N1230R · registry record · serial AC205
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot and passenger were returning from a personal flight. According to the pilot, while on a final approach to the runway, he reduced power and noticed both engines sustained a total loss of power. The pilot made a forced landing toward the runway and the airplane impacted a berm. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The fuel tanks were not compromised during impact and contained usable fuel. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. A functional test run of both engines revealed that they achieved full power with no anomalies noted. Data recorded from an on-board device revealed no anomalies to explain the simultaneous loss of engine power. A review of weather conditions at the time of the accident showed that conditions were not conducive to carburetor icing. Thus, based on the available evidence, the cause of the loss of engine power could not be 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 approach (VFR pattern final)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
- Unknown or undetermined during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Power plant › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot, military
- Ratings: multi-engine land; multi-engine sea; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 7,940 hours in all; 236 in this make and model
- Last flight review: May 16, 2023
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (waiver time limited special)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 475 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, January 22, 2023; 30 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,900 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Rotax 912 ULS (piston); 361 hours total
- Engine 2: Rotax 912 ULS (piston); 361 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 5/23, 2,000 ft by 80 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 060° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 37°F (3°C), dew point 10°F (-12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.49 inHg
- Observation at 12:56 pm from KGTU, 16 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KGTU 201856Z 06007KT 10SM CLR 03/M12 A3049 RMK AO2 PRESFR SLP329 T00331122 $
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
11 documents, released by the NTSB on February 20, 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, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Examination Summary | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Investigation Photographs | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Maintenance Records | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Carburetor Icing Probability Graph | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 8 | Cockpit Displays Recorded Flight Data - Specialist's Factual Report | PDF, 12 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Attachment 1 to Cockpit Displays Recorded Flight Data - Specialist's Factual Report | data file | Download |
| 10 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage - Recorders, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 11 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | 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.