# NTSB MIA87FA003: Griffin STAR-LITE, N124PK, Raymond, MS, October 5, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 5, 1986, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Raymond, MS
- Coordinates: 32.260406, -90.419128 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2604&lon=-90.4191&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31726
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87FA003
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31726/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87FA003

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb
  - flight control,elevator - separation (cause)
  - flight control,stabilator - separation (cause)
  - flight control,elevator attachment - improper (cause)
  - maintenance,design change - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - acft/equip,inadequate design, production/design personnel (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, climb
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD JUST COMPLETED BUILDING THE ACFT AND WAS ON THE INITIAL FLT. FAMILY MEMBERS WATCHED AS THE ACFT TOOKOFF AND CLIMBED OVER THE ARPT. THEY THEN OBSERVED PIECES FALLING FROM THE ACFT. THE ACFT ROLLED INVERTED AND CRASHED. AN EXAM OF THE ELEVATOR BELL CRANK REVEALED THE PLT HAD MADE AN UNAPPROVED MODIFICATION TO THE CRANK DUE TO A CONTRUCTION ERROR BY THE PLT WHICH CONSISTED OF CUTTING THE BOTTOM OFF THE CRANK AND ATTACHING 2 STRIPS OF ALUMINUM TO THE CRANK WITH POP RIVETS. THE ELEVATORS AND STABILIZERS SEPARATED FROM THE ACFT IN FLT. THE UPPER AND LOWER HALVES OF THE LEFT ELEVATOR HAD SEPARATED AND AN EXAM REVEALED THE BONDING MATERIAL WAS STILL SOFT AND SITCKY TO THE TOUCH. THE DESIGNER OF THE ACFT STATED THAT FLUTTER WAS CREATED IN THE ELEVATORS BY THE MODIFICATION RESULTING IN FAILURE OF THE TAIL COMPONENTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N124PK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N124PK-2014-12-17), registration cancelled 2014-12-17, S/N 124, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRIFFIN STAR-LITE
- Registry model: [Kirk James G III GRIFFEN STAR-LITE](https://openairdocs.org/model/kirk-james-g-iii-griffen-star-lite) (registry code 05613WA) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 124
- Engines: ROTAX 447 40 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James Griffin Kirk, 3rd
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; flight instructor, commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,057 total, 3,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: JAN, 13 nm away

## 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 19861005049789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861005049789A), Oct 5, 1986: Amtras STARLITE, Raymond, MS, Destroyed. The experimental plane hit the ground after the elevators separated. The builder made unauthorized modifications.

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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