# NTSB FTW89DQA02: I.C.A. Brasov IS-28B2, N91363, El Paso, TX, February 26, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: February 26, 1989, 16:50 local (23:50 UTC)
- Place: El Paso, TX
- Coordinates: 31.640035, -106.269126 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.6400&lon=-106.2691&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 22, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22704
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89DQA02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22704/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89DQA02

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, WHILE MANEUVERING TO LAND IN TURBULENT WEATHER, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL/SPIN AND SUBSEQUENT COLLISION WITH A TREE AND THE GROUND.  TURBULENCE WAS A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT AFTER ABOUT 25 MIN OF FLYING IN MODERATE TURBULENCE, HE DECIDED TO LAND. AS HE WAS TURNING FROM RIGHT BASE TO FINAL, HE LOST CONTROL OF THE GLIDER & IT ENTERED A RIGHT SPIN. AFTER 2 TURNS, HE RECOVERED FROM THE SPIN & WAS LEVELING THE GLIDER, WHEN IT STRUCK A TREE & THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N91363](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N91363-1990-01-02), registration cancelled 1990-01-02, S/N 36 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: I.C.A. Brasov IS-28B2
- Registry model: [I.C.A.-Brasov IS-28B2](https://openairdocs.org/model/i-c-a-brasov-is-28b2) (registry code 4490102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 36
- Airframe hours: 390
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: El Paso Soaring Society
- Registered owner: El Paso Soaring Society
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, June 27, 1988, 20 hours before
- Airport: TX04, West Texas, runway 26, 4,100 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; military, foreign, private; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 214 total, 44 in this make and model, 200 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 11 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 70 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ELP, 8 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 19890226002579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890226002579A), Feb 26, 1989: Brasov IS28B2, El Paso, TX, Substantial damage. Turbulence on approach. Lost control. Entered spin, recovered too late. Contacted brush and hit the ground.

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.