Narrative:

During the takeoff roll; we received a caution message and the 'stabilizer trim' caution message. As we were above 80 KTS; and the above did not involve engine fire/failure; loss of directional control; or the aircraft's inability to fly; we continued the takeoff. The initial climb out proceeded normally; with the aircraft handling satisfactorily. I attempted to reset the stab trim with the switches; but to no avail. The first officer (first officer) and I both tried our trip disconnect switches and made sure that the trim switches themselves were centered; still the stab trim would not engage. After running the QRH; the stab trim would still not engage. I called maintenance (mtx) over the radio and advised them of the situation and was hoping they had some trick up their sleeves to make the trim engage...still to no avail. I then [advised] center and requested a return to the departure airport. I called the flight attendant and advised her of the situation and gave her the test items. I also spoke to the passengers and advised them of what was wrong and of our intention to return. We completed the 'prior to landing' part of the QRH and executed a flap 20 landing on rwy 18C. After we taxied in; we off loaded the passengers and I spoke to maintenance control and to the dispatch supervisor; giving them the information they needed about our flight. We then swapped into another aircraft and continued on to our destination.in speaking to mtx on the telephone after we landed; they seemed to think; based on the diagnostic codes in the computer; that there was a short in the stab trim panel on the center console. In speaking to the mechanics who came out to repair the aircraft; they thought this was possible as dirt/debris/water/etc. From shoes drips onto and into the center console when people get in and out of the seats on the flight deck.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A CRJ-200 EICAS alerted STAB TRIM during takeoff but the crew continued. In flight; the Stabilizer Trim was found failed and would not reset so the flight returned to the departure airport for maintenance.

Narrative: During the takeoff roll; we received a caution message and the 'STAB TRIM' caution message. As we were above 80 KTS; and the above did not involve engine fire/failure; loss of directional control; or the aircraft's inability to fly; we continued the takeoff. The initial climb out proceeded normally; with the aircraft handling satisfactorily. I attempted to reset the stab trim with the switches; but to no avail. The First Officer (F/O) and I both tried our trip disconnect switches and made sure that the trim switches themselves were centered; still the stab trim would not engage. After running the QRH; the stab trim would still not engage. I called Maintenance (MTX) over the radio and advised them of the situation and was hoping they had some trick up their sleeves to make the trim engage...still to no avail. I then [advised] Center and requested a return to the departure airport. I called the Flight Attendant and advised her of the situation and gave her the TEST items. I also spoke to the passengers and advised them of what was wrong and of our intention to return. We completed the 'prior to landing' part of the QRH and executed a flap 20 landing on rwy 18C. After we taxied in; we off loaded the passengers and I spoke to Maintenance Control and to the Dispatch Supervisor; giving them the information they needed about our flight. We then swapped into another aircraft and continued on to our destination.In speaking to MTX on the telephone after we landed; they seemed to think; based on the diagnostic codes in the computer; that there was a short in the Stab Trim panel on the center console. In speaking to the mechanics who came out to repair the aircraft; they thought this was possible as dirt/debris/water/etc. from shoes drips onto and into the center console when people get in and out of the seats on the flight deck.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.