# NTSB NYC87DHA02: Kolb Twinstar, N23EH, Hilltown, PA, September 9, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: September 9, 1987, 16:40 local (20:40 UTC)
- Place: Hilltown, PA
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30440
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87DHA02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30440/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87DHA02

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - aircraft weight and balance - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

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.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N23EH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N23EH-1997-09-17), registration cancelled 1997-09-17, S/N TS0032 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Kolb Company TWINSTAR
- Registry model: [Handschin Edward KOLB TWINSTAR](https://openairdocs.org/model/handschin-edward-kolb-twinstar) (registry code 056125H) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: NONE
- Airframe hours: 88
- Engines: ROTAX 503 55 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Edward Handschin

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 750 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19870909051569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870909051569A), Sep 9, 1987: Amtrkb TWINSTAR, Hilltown, PA, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. The ultralight aircraft stalled during an emergency landing. The uncertificated aircraft was above max gross weight

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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