Grumman American AA-5B N28730

Summary

On 20 May 2007 at about 20:00 local time, a Grumman American AA-5B registered N28730, operated by Justin Smith, was involved in an accident near Hilltop Lakes, Texas, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

20 May 2007 at 20:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Hilltop Lakes, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Hilltop Lakes Airport (0TE4)

Coordinates

31.0300, -96.1092

Aircraft

Grumman American AA-5B

Registration

N28730

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Justin Smith

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Bryan → Hilltop Lakes

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DFW07LA118

2 people were seriously injured.

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.