NTSB Factual Report

On October 26, 2004, about 1355 eastern daylight time, a Fairchild 24R-40, N28539, was substantially damaged during takeoff from a private airstrip in Custar, Ohio. The non-certificated pilot was seriously injured, and subsequently passed away 42 days later. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot was involved in a forced landing with the same airplane during September 2002. That investigation revealed that the pilot was flying without a medical certificate, which had been denied approximately 10 years prior. In addition, the pilot had performed an unauthorized alteration to the airplane by installing a Chevrolet V-8 engine. Subsequently, his private pilot certificate, airframe and powerplant certificate, and inspector airworthiness certificate were revoked.

The pilot's stepson stated that the pilot had intended to sell the airplane. The pilot reinstalled the original engine, and was attempting to bring the airplane up to specifications. On the day of the accident, the stepson heard the engine running, and assumed the pilot was testing it. The stepson then observed the tailwheel airplane traveling on runway 18, an approximate 1,100-foot long, 25-foot wide, turf runway. The stepson could not see the airplane as it passed behind a barn, and then saw it resting on its right side, off the right side of the runway.

The reported wind at an airport approximately 20 miles north of the accident site, at 1352, was from 100 degrees at 8 knots.

Examination of the wreckage by an FAA inspector did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff, which resulted in a collision with terrain. A factor was a crosswind.