# NTSB MIA87LA033: Hickham Twinstar, N9731N, Bay St. Louis, MS, November 16, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 16, 1986, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Bay St. Louis, MS
- Coordinates: 30.270082, -89.479492 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2701&lon=-89.4795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31827
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87LA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31827/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA033

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - failure,total (cause)
- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, descent - emergency
  - fuel system,carburetor - separation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF ON THE INITIAL TEST FLT, SEVERE VIBRATION WAS FELT AND THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO RETURN THE FLOAT EQUIPPED ACFT TO THE WATER FOR A FORCED LDG. DUE TO LOW ALT, THE PLT HAD TO LAND IN TREES. AN EXAM OF ONE OF THE BLADES OF THE 3 BLADED COMPOSITE PROP REVEALED IT HAD SEPARATED CREATING A VIBRATION SO SEVERE THAT IT SHOOK BOTH CARBURETORS FROM THE ENGINE CAUSING THE ENG FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9731N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9731N-1995-01-13), registration cancelled 1995-01-13, S/N KIT4 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HICKHAM TWINSTAR
- Registry model: [Hickham John H KOLB TWINSTAR](https://openairdocs.org/model/hickham-john-h-kolb-twinstar) (registry code 05613QS) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 4
- Engines: ROTAX 532 40 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: John H. Hickham

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,200 total, 1 in this make and model, 1,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GPT, 12 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 19861116055699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861116055699A), Nov 16, 1986: Amtrkb TWINSTAR, Bay St Louis, MS, Substantial damage. A propeller blade separated and forced the floatplane to land. Pilot not properly rated. No airworthiness registry.

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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