# NTSB ERA26LA207: I.C.A.-Brasov IS-28B2, N8217W, Scotts Fork, VA, May 12, 2026

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: May 12, 2026, 12:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Scotts Fork, VA
- Coordinates: 37.316828, -77.86655 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3168&lon=-77.8666&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 uninjured; on the ground: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 11, 2026
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 202986
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA26LA207
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202986/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202986
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA207

## Probable cause

The photographer’s failure to remain clear of an active taxiway.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Object/animal/substance: person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022035): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [I.C.A.-Brasov IS-28B2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022035/cases.md?model=4490102), [All aircraft, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022035/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-landing roll: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [I.C.A.-Brasov IS-28B2, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=4490102), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to give an experience ride to a friend of the photographer on the ground. Prior to the flight, the pilot informed the photographer of the runway they would be landing on and that they would roll off onto the south taxiway before concluding the flight in front of the main hanger. As briefed, the glider touched down and rolled onto the taxiway. The pilot saw the photographer taking pictures just before the glider’s wing contacted him at the midspan of the left wing. The glider rotated 90° to the left before coming to rest. The photographer sustained fatal injuries as a result of the accident. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider prior to the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8217W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8217W), registered now, S/N 357, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: I.C.A.-BRASOV (ROMANIA) IS-28B2
- Registry model: [I.C.A.-Brasov IS-28B2](https://openairdocs.org/model/i-c-a-brasov-is-28b2) (registry code 4490102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 357
- Year built: 1992
- Airframe hours: 1293.6
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Merlin Soaring Association Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 30, 2025
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: 2VA3, Merlin Aerodrome, runway 32, 3,200 × 100 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 78; injuries: none; private, commercial, flight instructor; last flight review February 26, 2025; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 3,293 total, 327 in this make and model, 2,631 as pilot in command, 63 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.21 inHg
- Observed at: BKT, 15 nm away
- METAR: METAR KBKT 121655Z AUTO 25004KT 10SM FEW280 FEW350 20/06 A3021 RMK AO2 SLP233 T02040056

## 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 20260512004269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260512004269A), May 12, 2026: I.C.A.-Brasov (Romania) IS-28B2, Amelia Courthou, VA, Minor damage, 1 fatal. On may 12, 2026, about 12:45 (EDT), an I.c.a. Brasov, [privacy data omitted] glider was involved in an accident on the ground. The glider touched down on…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 11, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202986. 5.1 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 4.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20569888&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20Pilot_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Memorandum for record a�� soaring association president interview (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 103 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20663362&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20Association%20President%20Interiew_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Investigative photographs (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 716 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20554718&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20-Rel.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.

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