# NTSB FTW95LA006: I.C.A. Brasov IS-28B2, N70792, Alamogordo, NM, October 2, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 2, 1994, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Alamogordo, NM
- Coordinates: 32.879249, -105.950019 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8792&lon=-105.9500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 19, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19276
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19276/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA006

## Probable cause

THE ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN AVAILABLE FOR THE FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff
  - weather condition - turbulence (cause)
  - glider launch/tow equipment - separation
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF INITIAL CLIMB, THE TOW PLANE AND GLIDER FLEW THROUGH A 'DUST DEVIL' AND THE TURBULENCE THAT WAS ENCOUNTERED CAUSED SLACK IN THE TOW LINE. THE GLIDER PILOT MADE A CORRECTION FOR THE SLACK; HOWEVER, WHEN THE TOW LINE BECAME TAUT, IT 'SNAPPED.' SINCE THE GLIDER WAS LESS THAN 200 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE PILOT DECIDED TO LAND STRAIGHT AHEAD ON A ROAD. DURING FINAL APPROACH, THE LEFT WING STRUCK 15 FOOT HIGH BRUSH WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY 'SPUN THE GLIDER AROUND AS IT IMPACTED THE GROUND.' THE LEFT WING SPAR WAS DAMAGED, AND THE TAIL SECTION WAS TWISTED.

## Factual narrative

On October 2, 1994, at 1400 mountain daylight time, a Brasov   IS-28B2, N70792, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Alamogordo, New Mexico.  The pilot and passenger were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight.

The pilot/operator report stated the following information.  During takeoff initial climb, the tow plane and glider flew through a "dust devil" and the turbulence that was encountered produced slack in the tow line.  The glider pilot made a correction for the slack; however, when the tow line became taught, it "snapped."  Since the glider was less than 200 feet above the ground, the pilot made the decision to land straight ahead on a dirt road.  During the final approach, the left wing struck 15 foot high brush which subsequently "spun the glider around as it impacted the ground."

According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the left wing spar was damaged, and the tail section was twisted.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N70792](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N70792-2013-08-22), registration cancelled 2013-08-22, S/N 80, built 1977 (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)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 80
- Airframe hours: 1080
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: White Sands Soaring Assoc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 5, 1993
- Destination: ALM, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: front; flight hours: 34 total, 5 in this make and model, 23 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19941002032439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941002032439A), Oct 2, 1994: Brasov IS28B2, Alamogordo, NM, Substantial damage. Flew into dust devil on tow. Slack in rope. Over corrected broke rope. Low. Landed in brush. Spun around. Spar broke

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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