# NTSB ERA12CA027: Ica Brasov IS-29D2, N1339X, Benton, TN, October 14, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 14, 2011, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Benton, TN - Coordinates: 35.255832, -84.584167 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2558&lon=-84.5842&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 82071 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA027 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82071/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82071 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA027 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper in-flight planning, which resulted in a low-altitude traffic pattern entry and subsequent collision with telephone wires. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Ica Brasov IS-29D2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=4490106), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Ica Brasov IS-29D2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=4490106), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Ica Brasov IS-29D2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=4490106), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the glider stated that he was returning to the airport at the conclusion of a 1.5-hour flight. The pilot approached the airport at a slow airspeed and a lower-than-normal altitude due to a misinterpretation of the altimeter reading. The pilot continued the approach for landing, and the glider struck telephone wires on the final leg of the traffic pattern. The glider sustained substantial damage to the wing spar and tailboom. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the glider. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the glider stated that he was returning to the airport at the conclusion of a one-and-a-half hour flight, and approached the airport at a low altitude and slow airspeed. The pilot continued the approach for landing, and struck a telephone wire on the final leg of the traffic pattern. The glider sustained substantial damage to the wing spar and tail boom. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the glider. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1339X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1339X-2014-12-02), registration cancelled 2014-12-02, S/N 92, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ICA BRASOV IS-29D2 - Registry model: [Ica Brasov IS-29D2](https://openairdocs.org/model/ica-brasov-is-29d2) (registry code 4490106) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 92 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Tampa Bay Soaring Society - Registered owner: Tampa Bay Soaring Society - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 92A, Benton, TN - Destination: 92A, Benton, TN - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: 92A, Chilhowee Gliderport, runway 03, 2,600 × 200 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; private; last flight review October 1, 2011; seat: single; flight hours: 3,000 total, 67 in this make and model, 2,500 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 13 knots, gusting 28 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: CHA, 32 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 20111014022999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111014022999A), Oct 14, 2011: Ica Brasov IS-29D2, Benton, TN, Substantial damage. Aircraft was low and slow on downwind, continued around pattern, struck telephone line at approximately 30 feet high and 50 yards short of runway touchdown… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 4, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82071. 351 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 351 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358460&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.