# NTSB LAX83LA273: I.C.A. Brasov IS-29D2, N46045, Reno, NV, June 7, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 7, 1983, 15:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Reno, NV
- Location: 39.5296° N, 119.8138° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Reno, NV, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5296&lon=-119.8138&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23743
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA273
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23743/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA273

## 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 - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, HE RECEIVED AN AERIAL TOW TO 2500 FT AGL, AND AFTER RELEASING, THE GLIDER ENCOUNTERED SINKING WX CONDITIONS. HE PROCEEDED BACK TO THE ARPT. AFTER ENTERING A DOWNWIND FOR LANDING, THE GLIDER REPORTEDLY ENCOUNTERED AN AREA OF EXTREME SINK. THE PLT FLEW AN ABBREVIATED PATTERN. DURING A 180 DEG TURN FROM DOWNWIND TO FINAL APCH, THE GLIDER STALLED & STARTED TO SPIN. THE PLT INITIATED CORRECTIVE ACTION, BUT THE GLIDER IMPACTED ON A GRASS STRIP BESIDE THE RWY BEFORE A FULL RECOVERY WAS MADE. THIS WAS THE PLT'S 1ST FLT IN THIS TYPE OF GLIDER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N46045](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N46045-1984-05-01), registration cancelled 1984-05-01, S/N 82, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: I.C.A. Brasov IS-29D2
- Registry model: [Ica Brasov IS-29D2](https://openairdocs.org/model/ica-brasov-is-29d2) (registry code 4490106) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 82
- Airframe hours: 4
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James Richardson, doing business as Sierra Nevada Soaring
- Registered owner: Vaughan & Dorothy Roberts
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 9, 1982, 59 hours before
- Airport: 4SD, Stead

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 34 total, 24 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RNO, 12 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 19830607022279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830607022279A), Jun 7, 1983: Brasov IS29D2, Reno, NV, Substantial damage. Glider entered pattern at low altitude with spoilers open. Stall occurred on turn to final causing crash.

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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