# Accident 19980128003829A: Frchld 24G, Andalusia, AL, January 28, 1998

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: January 28, 1998, 12:30 local time
- Place: Andalusia, AL
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Fcd/Prec Ldg From Cruise
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 31.2998° N, 86.4804° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.2998&lon=-86.4804&mi=10
- Aircraft: N16866, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N16866-2013-08-15) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Fairchild 24 G (registry code 3370402, https://openairdocs.org/model/fairchild-24-g) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Warner SS40&50 (registry code 64503, https://openairdocs.org/engine/warner-ss40-50) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: FRCHLD 24G
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Pilot flight hours: 15,000 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB MIA98FA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98FA060) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980128003829A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND FATALLY INJURING PILOT. INVESTIGATION CONTINUING. (.4)THE RECENTLY RESTORED ANTIQUE AIRPLANE IMPACTED TREES ON THE BANK OF A RIVER WITHIN A DENSELY FORESTED NATIONAL FOREST WHILE BEING FERRIED TO THE RESTORER FOR SOME LAST MINUTE DETAILING PRIOR TO A SALE. THERE WERE NO WITNESSES, AND INITIAL NOTIFICATION CAME FROM A FELLOW PILOT WHEN THE ACCIDENT PILOT FAILED TO SHOW UP AT A PREDETERMINED MEETING PLACE.  SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION OF AIRCRAFT COMPONENTS REVEALED THE PROPELLER WAS DEVELOPING LITTLE POWER ON IMPACT WITH TREES, AND THE FUEL SYSTEM CONTAINED WATER AND CORROSION CONTAMINATION.                                                         (-23) ON JANUARY 28, 1998, BETWEEN 1130 & 1400 CST, A 1937 FAIRCHILD 24G, N16866, OPERATING UNDER CFR 91 BY FRED SORENSON, CERT #58631, COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND FATALLY INJURING THE PILOT. (F. SORENSON) SORENSON DEPARTED MILTON FLORIDA AT 1130.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (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 MIA98FA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98FA060), Jan 28, 1998: Fairchild 24G (N16866), Andalusia, AL, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: A loss of engine power while in cruise flight caused by a contaminated fuel supply and the subsequent inflight collision with trees and unsuitable terrain during the emergency descent and landing.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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