# NTSB NYC84FA170: I.C.A. Brasov IS-29D2, N29DT, Collegeville, PA, May 11, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 11, 1984, 13:20 local (17:20 UTC)
- Place: Collegeville, PA
- Coordinates: 40.180034, -75.450759 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1800&lon=-75.4508&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35342
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84FA170
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35342/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FA170

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - glider launch/tow equipment - disconnected (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO A WITNESS WHO RAN THE WING OF THE GLIDER DURING TAKEOFF, AT 250 TO 300 FT AGL THE TOW ACFT TURNED LEFT BUT THE GLIDER MAINTAINED RWY HEADING. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE TOW LINE RELEASED AT THE GLIDER-END AND THE GLIDER INITIATED A RIGHT TURN. AFTER APRX 45 DEG OF TURN THE GLIDER ENTERED A RIGHT SPIRAL AND NEAR VERTICAL DESCENT TO GROUND IMPACT. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS IN EITHER ACFT OR THE TOW EQUIPMENT WERE FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N29DT (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: I.C.A. Brasov IS-29D2
- Category: Glider, amateur-built
- Serial number: 87
- Airframe hours: 238
- Engines: unknown UNK unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Horace Pettit,Jr.
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1984, 0 hours before
- Departed: N10, COLLEGEVILLE, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; commercial; medical: class 3, expired; seat: center; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PNE, 21 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 19840511018619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840511018619A), May 11, 1984: Brasov IS29D2, Collegeville, PA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. On tow. Tow plane turned left. Glider did not. Released tow. Glider went into right spiral. Impacted vertical.

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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