# NTSB CHI95LA333: Fairchild FA-24, N22036, Blountsville, IN, September 25, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 25, 1995, 12:40 local (17:40 UTC) - Place: Blountsville, IN - Coordinates: 40.020816, -85.179908 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0208&lon=-85.1799&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 18, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10041 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA333 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10041/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA333 ## Probable cause partial loss of engine power for an undetermined reason, and the pilot's improper in-flight planing/decision. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's misuse of flaps, and his encounter with high obstruction during the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - go-around - attempted, pilot in command - flaps - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor) - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor) - maneuver to avoid obstructions - performed, pilot in command ## Analysis THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHILE CRUISING AT APPROXIMATELY 5,000 TO 5,500 FEET MSL, THE ENGINE EXPERIENCED A PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER. HE DIVERTED BACK TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING FINAL APPROACH, THE AIRPLANE HAD TOO MUCH AIRSPEED AND HE BELIEVED THAT IT WAS GOING TO LAND LONG, SO HE DECIDED TO PERFORM A GO-AROUND. DURING THE GO-AROUND, WITH THE FLAPS STILL EXTENDED, THE AIRPLANE WAS UNABLE TO GAIN ALTITUDE. THE PILOT TURNED THE AIRPLANE TO AVOID IMPACTING TREES WHICH WERE LOCATED AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE LOST LIFT AND IMPACTED A FIELD. POSTACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO MECHANICAL ANOMALIES. ## Factual narrative On September 25, 1995, at 1240 central daylight time (cdt), a Fairchild FA-24, N22036, was destroyed following a partial loss of engine power and subsequent precautionary landing in Blountsville, Indiana. The private pilot reported minor injuries. The local 14 CFR Part 91 pleasure flight originated from Starkey's Airport in Mooreland, Indiana, at 1200 cdt. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was on file. The pilot reported that while cruising at approximately 5,000 to 5,500 feet msl, the engine experienced a partial loss of power. He decided to fly back to his departure airport to land, which was approximately one mile away. The pilot stated that while the airplane was descending, the engine maintained a maximum RPM of 2000. He stated that during final approach, the airplane had too much airspeed and he believed that it was going to land long, so he decided to perform a go-around. He stated the airplane was losing altitude as it was trying to climb during the go-around with the flaps still extended. The pilot turned the airplane to avoid impacting trees which were located at the end of the runway. The airplane lost lift and impacted a field. Postaccident investigation revealed no mechanical anomalies with the engine. The airplane logbook shows the last inspection was an annual inspection performed on October 25, 1994. The airplane has logged thirty minutes of flight time since the inspection. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N22036](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N22036), registered now, S/N W40-105, built 1940 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: FAIRCHILD FA-24 - Registry model: [Fairchild 24W-40](https://openairdocs.org/model/fairchild-24w-40) (registry code 3370608) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Warner SS40&50](https://openairdocs.org/engine/warner-ss40-50) (registry code 64503, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: W40-105 - Airframe hours: 2573 - Engines: WARNER 5S-50A 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Mirwood A. Starkey - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1994, 1 hours before - Departed: IN21, MOORELAND, IN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 417 total, 139 in this make and model, 390 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 12 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MIE, 13 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 19950925030149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950925030149A), Sep 25, 1995: Frchld 24W40, Blountsville, IN, Destroyed. Lost partial power. Turned back to departure airport. Too high began go around full flaps. Stalled. No anomalies. (-23) no narrative. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.