# NTSB CHI98LA322: Fairchild 24R-46A, N28644, Scribner, NE, August 20, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 20, 1998, 07:10 local (12:10 UTC) - Place: Scribner, NE - Coordinates: 41.660549, -96.660644 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6605&lon=-96.6606&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43750 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA322 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43750/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA322 ## Probable cause the inadvertent ground loop caused by an unknown person who was in the process of stealing the airplane. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, unknown (cause) - stolen aircraft/unauthorized use - intentional, unknown (cause) - flt control syst,elevator trim/tab control - incorrect - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff ## Analysis The airplane was discovered at 0710 cdt, on the Scribner State Airfield, Scribner, Nebraska, by the owner, after the accident took place. The airplane's owner estimated that the total distance the airplane traveled was 40 yards. The owner stated that the unknown person operating the airplane 'probably lost control when [the] tailwheel left the runway. Excessive takeoff trim was set, [thus the] tail may have lifted off prematurely.' The pilot fled the accident site and was never identified. Examination of the wreckage revealed no anomalies. ## Factual narrative On August 20, 1998, at approximately 0710 central daylight time (cdt), a Fairchild 24R-46A, N28644, sustained substantial damage when on initial takeoff, the airplane was ground-looped. At the time of the accident, the airplane was in the act of being stolen by an unidentified individual or individuals. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91. No flight plan was on file. The airplane was discovered at 0710 cdt, on the Scribner State Airfield, Scribner, Nebraska, by the owner, after the accident took place. In his written statement, the airplane's owner estimated that the total distance the airplane traveled was 40 yards. The owner stated that the unknown person operating the airplane "probably lost control when [the] tailwheel left the runway. Excessive takeoff trim was set, [thus the] tail may have lifted off prematurely." A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane at the accident site. The airplane was resting upright on runway 17 at Scribner State Airport, and was westward. The airplane's right main landing gear and cabin step were bent upward. The base of the right wing strut, where it attaches to the fuselage, was bent upward. The left main landing gear was bent upward and twisted forward. The bottom left side of the engine cowling was crushed upward and aft. The bottom left forward fuselage, at the firewall, was crushed upward and buckled outward. The bottom of the engine firewall was bent upward. The bottom of the left wing tip was bent upward. The bottom forward fuselage walls showed skin wrinkles beneath and forward of the cabin doors. Both tips of the airplane's wooden propeller were broken off. The remainder of the airplane was undamaged. Flight control continuity was confirmed. No anomalies were found with the airplane's engine, engine controls or other airplane systems. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N28644](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N28644), registered now, S/N W40-164, built 1940 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Fairchild 24R-46A - Registry model: [Fairchild 24R-46A](https://openairdocs.org/model/fairchild-24r-46a) (registry code 3370516) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Warner SS50A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/warner-ss50a) (registry code 64506, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: W40-164 - Airframe hours: 1417 - Engines: Ranger 6-440-C5 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Vincent R. Robertson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 27, 1997, 20 hours before - Departed: SCB - Destination: UNKNOWN - Airport: SCB, Scribner State Airfield, runway 17, 4,200 × 75 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; medical: unknown, unknown ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn - Wind: 150° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: FET, 10 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 19980820021409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980820021409A), Aug 20, 1998: Frchld 24R46A, Scribner, NE, Substantial damage. Acft is believed to have been stolen and crashed on return to the arpt. (-23) aircraft was stolen from hangar by a person or persons unknown and directional… 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.