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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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September 9, 1987 · Kolb Twinstar · N23EH

Hilltown, PA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 9, 1987
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Hilltown, PA
Aircraft
Kolb Twinstar
Tail Number
N23EH
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC87DHA02

AFTER THE ACFT TOOK OFF, WITNESSES HEARD A POWER CHANGE & SAW WHAT APPEARED TO BE A LEFT TURN TO RETURN TO THE GRASS STRIP. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT ENTERED A DESCENT & CRASHED IN A LEFT WING DOWN, NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. THE PASSENGER WAS TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL, BUT DIED ABOUT 9-1/2 HRS AFTER THE ACDNT. EXAMS OF THE ACFT & ENG WERE MADE. NO PREEXISTING MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS NOTED, EXCEPT DAMAGE TO THE WOODEN PROP WAS CONSISTENT WITH LITTLE OR NO ENG POWER. THE KLOB TWINSTAR WAS A FOLLOW-ON, TWO-PLACE ACFT THAT WAS MANUFACTURED AFTER THE SINGLE-PLACE, ULTRALIGHT, KLOB ULTRASTAR WAS PRODUCED. RPRTDLY, THE ACFT HAD BEEN EQUIPPED WITH MANY ACCESSORIES, WHICH WHEN COMBINED WITH THE WEIGHT OF THE PLT & PASSENGER, WOULD HAVE EXCEEDED ITS NORMAL GROSS WEIGHT.

Full Narrative

AFTER THE ACFT TOOK OFF, WITNESSES HEARD A POWER CHANGE & SAW WHAT APPEARED TO BE A LEFT TURN TO RETURN TO THE GRASS STRIP. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT ENTERED A DESCENT & CRASHED IN A LEFT WING DOWN, NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. THE PASSENGER WAS TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL, BUT DIED ABOUT 9-1/2 HRS AFTER THE ACDNT. EXAMS OF THE ACFT & ENG WERE MADE. NO PREEXISTING MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS NOTED, EXCEPT DAMAGE TO THE WOODEN PROP WAS CONSISTENT WITH LITTLE OR NO ENG POWER. THE KLOB TWINSTAR WAS A FOLLOW-ON, TWO-PLACE ACFT THAT WAS MANUFACTURED AFTER THE SINGLE-PLACE, ULTRALIGHT, KLOB ULTRASTAR WAS PRODUCED. RPRTDLY, THE ACFT HAD BEEN EQUIPPED WITH MANY ACCESSORIES, WHICH WHEN COMBINED WITH THE WEIGHT OF THE PLT & PASSENGER, WOULD HAVE EXCEEDED ITS NORMAL GROSS WEIGHT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:40 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftKolb Twinstar
Tail NumberN23EH
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 503 · Reciprocating · 55
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 42 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

External Links

Appendix: Source Data