# NTSB LAX90LA104: I.C.A. Brasov 2902.11.01.001 Lark, N123MR, Orland, CA, February 24, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 24, 1990, 13:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Orland, CA
- Coordinates: 39.730346, -122.329757 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7303&lon=-122.3298&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26745
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA104
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26745/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA104

## Probable cause

THE PILOTS LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL DUE TO THE LIKELIHOOD OF EXPERIENCING AN EPILEPTIC SEIZURE. A FACTOR WHICH MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S INGESTION OF AN ANTICONVULSANT DRUG THAT CAUSES DROWSINESS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aircraft control - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - incapacitation(organic problem), pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(drugs), pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AFTER A TOW RELEASE THE GLIDER WAS OBSERVED DOING TURNS, STALLS AND RECOVERIES WHICH APPEARED NORMAL. IT WAS THEN OBSERVED HEADING STRAIGHT DOWN ROTATING ABOUT ITS LONGITUDINAL AXIS. THE PILOT WAS REPORTEDLY AN EPILEPTIC SUBJECT TO SEIZURES. TOXICOLOGICAL ANALYSIS REVEALED THE DRUG CARBAMAZEPINE PRESENT IN THE BLOOD AND URINE SAMPLES AT THERAPEUTIC LEVELS. THE DRUG IS AN ANTICONVULSANT WHICH CAN RESULT IN DROWSINESS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N123MR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N123MR-1990-03-09), registration cancelled 1990-03-09, S/N 75 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: I.C.A. Brasov 2902.11.01.001 LARK (2902.11.01)
- Registry model: [I.C.A.-Brasov IS-29D](https://openairdocs.org/model/i-c-a-brasov-is-29d) (registry code 4490104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 76
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Joiner, James
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: 037

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; toxicology performed; flight hours: 50 total, 50 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19900224002589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900224002589A), Feb 24, 1990: Mcbems LARK95, Orland, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Observed performing stalls. Then spin into ground. Pilot reported to be epileptic. Used non flying seizure drug.

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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