Amateur-built AA-5B accident near Hilltop Lakes, Texas, May 20, 2007
On May 20, 2007 at about 8:00 pm local time, a amateur-built AA-5B, registered N28730, was substantially damaged in an accident near Hilltop Lakes, Texas (Hilltop Lakes Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power due to carburetor ice. Contributing factors were the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing and the weather conditions that were conducive to carburetor ice.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 20, 2007 · about 8:00 pm local time
- Place
- Hilltop Lakes, Texas · Hilltop Lakes Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built AA-5B
- Registration
- N28730 · no longer on the register · serial AA5B0781
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The 300-hour private pilot reported that the airplane entered an un-commanded nose down pitch and banked to the left while the airplane was established on final approach to runway 16. The pilot and passenger were seriously injured. An examination of the engine was conducted. Examination of the engine 180-horsepower engine did not reveal any mechanical anomalies that could have prevented normal engine operation. The fuel cells were breached; however, the operator reported that the airplane departed the airport with a full load of fuel, and according to the engine tach, the flight's duration was 36 minutes. According to icing probability chart, the weather conditions at the time of the accident were favorable for the probability of "serious" carburetor icing at glide power. Examination of the airplane and engine revealed that the carburetor heat control was in the "off" or "cold" position. The pilot and passenger were seriously injured. Weather reported 30 miles south of the accident site at the time of the accident stated winds were from 120 degrees at 9 knots gusting to 14 knots.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 300 hours in all; 15 in this make and model; 10 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 200 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 1, 2006
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,051 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, March 1, 2007; 77 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming 0-360-a4k (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KCFD Bryan TX at 6:30 pm
- Destination: 0TE4 Hilltop Lakes TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 16, 3,000 ft by 40 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 120° at 9 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 4,900 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 pm from KCLL, 30 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.