# NTSB CEN24LA096: Lockwood AIR CAM, N1230R, Liberty Hill, TX, January 20, 2024

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report
- Date: January 20, 2024, 13:20 local (19:20 UTC)
- Place: Liberty Hill, TX
- Coordinates: 30.73822, -97.97164
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.7382&lon=-97.9716&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA - San Antonio FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 193690
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN24LA096
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193690/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193690
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA096

## Probable cause

The reported simultaneous and total loss of engine power to both engines during a power reduction for reasons that could not be determined.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Power plant](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Orchard Richard W AIR CAM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100/cases.md?model=05630KS), [All aircraft, 198 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event); cases with it: [Orchard Richard W AIR CAM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=05630KS), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md)
- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Orchard Richard W AIR CAM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05630KS), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Orchard Richard W AIR CAM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05630KS), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

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.

## Factual narrative

On January 20, 2024, about 1320 central standard time, a Lockwood Air Cam airplane, N1230R, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Liberty Hill, Texas. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot and passenger were returning to Fly Navy Airport, Liberty Hill, Texas (TA60). 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. The airplane was equipped with two Rotax 912 ULS engines. Each engine is supplied with fuel from separate independent fuel tanks and systems. Both engines had an aftermarket Zipper Big Bore kit installed and an aftermarket carburetor heat system that utilized engine coolant routed through a water jacket housing attached between the intake manifolds and carburetors. The carburetor heat system functioned when tested. The carburetor bowls on each engine contained clean fuel consistent with 91 octane ethanol free automotive fuel. Examination of the carburetors revealed no malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Multiple postaccident engine test runs were conducted on both engines at various power settings. The test runs did not identify any mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The crossover tube between the two intake manifolds was modified on both engines. The inside diameter of the crossover tube was increased by the modification. There were visible fuel stains at the threaded hose connectors; however, the induction system did not leak when tested. A Dynon SV-D1000, capable of recording data, was sent to the NTSB Vehicle Recorder Division for data extraction. No anomalies were found within the data to explain the simultaneous loss of power to both engines.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1230R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1230R), registered now, S/N AC205, built 2015 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LOCKWOOD AIR CAM
- Registry model: [Orchard Richard W AIR CAM](https://openairdocs.org/model/orchard-richard-w-air-cam) (registry code 05630KS) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: AC205
- Year built: 2015
- Airframe hours: 475
- Engines: Rotax 912 ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating; Rotax 912 ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, January 22, 2023, 30 hours before
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: TA60, Fly Navy, runway 5/23, 2,000 × 80 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic multifunction display

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial, military, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, waiver time limited special; last flight review May 16, 2023; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 7,940 total, 236 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 10 °F
- Altimeter: 30.49 inHg
- Observed at: KGTU, 16 nm away
- METAR: KGTU 201856Z 06007KT 10SM CLR 03/M12 A3049 RMK AO2 PRESFR SLP329 T00331122 $

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20240120000819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240120000819A), Jan 20, 2024: Orchard Richard W AIR CAM, Liberty Hill, TX, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed just short of runway 05 onto the ground approximately 40 feet from the runway, slid a short distance (approximately 30 feet), and came to a…

## Docket (11 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 20, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193690. 20.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 4.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17269473&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N1230R%20NTSB%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot's statement (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 84 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17269833&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N1230R%20Written%20Narrative_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Examination summary (item 3, PDF, 5 pages, 229 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17522085&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Examination%20Summary%20N1230R-Rel.pdf
- Investigation photographs (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 700 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17279349&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf
- Maintenance records (item 5, PDF, 3 pages, 6.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17272945&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MX%20Logs_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Carburetor icing probability graph (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 337 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17272965&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Carburetor%20Icing%20Probability%20Graph%20CEN24LA096-Rel.pdf
- Statement of party representatives to NTSB investigation (item 7, PDF, 1 page, 943 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16881108&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Certification%20of%20Party%20Representative_Lockwood_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Cockpit displays recorded flight data - specialist's factual report (item 8, PDF, 12 pages, 2.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18283693&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN24LA096%20Cockpit%20Displays%20Recorded%20Flight%20Data%20-%20Specialist%27s%20Factual%20Report-Rel.pdf
- Attachment 1 to cockpit displays recorded flight data - specialist's factual report (item 9, CSV, 4.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16923307&FileExtension=csv&FileName=CEN24LA096%20Attachment%201%20to%20Cockpit%20Displays%20Recorded%20Flight%20Data%20-%20Specialist%27s%20Factual%20Report-Rel.csv
- Release of aircraft wreckage - recorders, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 10, PDF, 1 page, 117 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18315760&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Recorders%20Release%20N1230R_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 11, PDF, 1 page, 102 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18314677&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Wreckage%20Release%20N1230R_Redacted-Rel.pdf

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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