# NTSB SEA87LA146: Davis Starship Alpha, N5531N, Burley, ID, July 24, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 24, 1987, 06:08 local (12:08 UTC)
- Place: Burley, ID
- Coordinates: 42.390796, -113.7798 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3908&lon=-113.7798&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 October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40663
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87LA146
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40663/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87LA146

## 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, landing
- Ditching, landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AT ABOUT 100 FEET AGL. DUE TO OBSTACLES IN THE PILOT'S FLIGHT PATH LANDING HAD TO BE MADE IN A RIVER WHERE THE AIRCRAFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. THE REASON FOR THE POWER LOSS COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5531N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5531N-2017-07-07), registration cancelled 2017-07-07, S/N D-007, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DAVIS STARSHIP ALPHA (STARSHIP A)
- Registry model: [Davis Gilbert E STARSHIP ALPHA](https://openairdocs.org/model/davis-gilbert-e-starship-alpha) (registry code 05613GU) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Kawasaki ALL MDLS A/B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/kawasaki-all-mdls-a-b) (registry code 35500, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: D-007
- Airframe hours: 152
- Engines: KAWASAKI TA-440 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gilbert E. Davis
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 23, 1987, 52 hours before
- Destination: U02, BLACKFOOT, ID
- Airport: BYI, Burley, runway 2, 4,092 × 200 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 280 total, 150 in this make and model, 237 as pilot in command, 51 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 50° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BYI

## 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 19870724045199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870724045199A), Jul 24, 1987: Amtrds ALPHA, Burley, ID, Substantial damage. Loss of power on climbout. Forced landing in a river with gear down. Improper air cleaner cover a suspect.

## Other investigations on N5531N (1)

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.

- [NTSB SEA89LA083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA083), May 9, 1989: Davis Starship Alpha (N5531N), Star, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: FAILURE OF THE PROPELLER DRIVE BELT (STRIPPED TEETH). CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: STRONG/GUSTY WINDS AND THE HILLY TERRAIN.

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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