Amateur-built HATZ CB-1 accident near Pipe Creek, Texas, July 27, 1996
On July 27, 1996 at about 5:15 pm local time, a amateur-built HATZ CB-1, registered N485D, was destroyed in an accident near Pipe Creek, Texas (Freedom Springs Ranch airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
loss of aircraft control in flight for undetermined reason(s).
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 27, 1996 · about 5:15 pm local time
- Place
- Pipe Creek, Texas · Freedom Springs Ranch · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built HATZ CB-1
- Registration
- N485D · no longer on the register · serial 485
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
A private pilot and an airline transport pilot (ATP) took off on a flight in a homebuilt airplane that had only about 3 hours of flight time. According to witnesses, the ATP had made the initial test flights of the airplane, but the owner was the pilot-in-command (PIC) on this flight. Witnesses at the airport saw the homebuilt airplane in a landing approach, heard engine power increase, and watched the airplane climb out to the northeast. A witness, who was driving his vehicle on a road about 1 mile north of the airport observed, the airplane impact the road 'nose first' and then it began burning. The investigation did not determine which pilot was flying at the time of the accident. According to a nurse, who cared for the private pilot during a postaccident air ambulance ride, he said 'I was going through 300 feet, and I lost the elevator, and we came straight down.' Postaccident examination of the airplane, revealed continuity to all flight controls. Examination of the engine revealed no preimpact mechanical discrepancy. Comparison of the airplane's estimated weight and balance at the time of the accident to figures provided by an individual who had built several Hatz airplanes indicated the airplane was loaded within 'normal' limits. There was insufficient evidence available to determine the reason for the reported loss of elevator control.
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: 900 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rear
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 1,500 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2D (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: ERV Kerrville TX at 4:45 pm
- Destination: TA66
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 110° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 4,300 ft
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 5:48 pm from SAT, 23 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
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.