# NTSB SEA89LA083: Davis Starship Alpha, N5531N, Star, ID, May 9, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 9, 1989, 10:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Star, ID
- Coordinates: 43.719669, -116.49002 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7197&lon=-116.4900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41009
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA083
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41009/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA083

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PROPELLER DRIVE BELT (STRIPPED TEETH). CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: STRONG/GUSTY WINDS AND THE HILLY TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, go-around (vfr)
  - propeller system/accessories - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT MADE A LOW PASS OVER THE AIRPORT TO CHECK THE RWY, THEN DECIDED NOT TO LAND. WHEN HE APPLIED POWER TO INITIATE A GO-AROUND, TEETH STRIPPED OFF OF THE PROP DRIVE BELT. THIS RESULTED IN AN INTERRUPTION OF POWER TO THE PROP. THE PLT MANEUVERED THE ACFT BACK TOWARD THE ARPT IN STRONG GUSTY WINDS, BUT WAS UNABLE TO LAND ON THE RWY. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED WHEN IT IMPACTED ON A SMALL HILL ABOUT 100' NORTH OF THE RWY. THE PLT RPRTD THE WIND WAS FROM THE SOUTH AT 15 GUSTING 20 KTS.

## 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
- 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: 172
- Engines: KAWASAKI TA440F-204 40 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gilbert E. Davis
- Registered owner: Gilbert E Davis
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 31, 1989, 8 hours before
- Departed: S67, NAMPA, ID
- Airport: Jump West, runway 5, 4,200 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 309 total, 170 in this make and model, 266 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 15 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BOI, 16 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 19890509034209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890509034209A), May 9, 1989: Amtrds ALPHA, Star, ID, Substantial damage. Propeller drive belt teeth stripped causing loss of thrust. Impacted rough terrain trying to make a private airport

## 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 SEA87LA146](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87LA146), Jul 24, 1987: Davis Starship Alpha (N5531N), Burley, ID, substantial damage

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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