I C A -Brasov IS-26B2 N4281B
10 August 2008 · Fincastle, Virginia, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 10 August 2008 at about 18:00 local time, a I C A -Brasov IS-26B2 registered N4281B, operated by Springwood Soaring Association, was involved in an accident near Fincastle, Virginia, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 18:00
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Fincastle, Virginia, United States
- Nearest airport
- Springwood Gliderport (08VA)
- Coordinates
- 37.4908, -79.8700
- Aircraft
- I C A -Brasov IS-26B2
- Registration
- N4281B
- Category
- Glider
- Operator
- Springwood Soaring Association
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Fincastle → Buchanan
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- NYC08CA275
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Probable cause
The pilot's geographic disorientation, which resulted in an off-airport landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's selection of an inadequate landing site.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
According to the pilot of the I.C.A.-Brasov glider, he was towed to 4,000 feet and released southwest of the airport for a local flight. After release, the pilot attempted to orient himself geographically, but was unsuccessful. He typically operated north and east of the airport. According to the passenger, the pilot misidentified several landmarks, and the passenger attempted to correct him. The pilot eventually realized that he was no longer able to return to the airport of origin. He selected what he believed to be a suitable landing site, but after he turned onto the base leg of the approach, he saw that the field crop was corn instead of hay. At that point, the pilot was committed to landing, and there was no suitable alternate field within range. The glider settled into the corn, but then dropped suddenly to the ground, which resulted in substantial damage.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Mar 2008 | Mooney M20C | Atkins, Virginia, United States | A. Roy Sanwalka | Fatal | 2 |
| 5 Jan 2008 | Cessna R172K | Spotsylvania, Virginia, United States | Neil T. Wallace | Minor injuries | - |
| 22 Mar 2008 | Boeing 757-200 | Richmond, Virginia, United States | US Airways Inc | No injuries | - |
| 23 Dec 2008 | Czech Aircraft Works SPORTCRUISER | Emporia, Virginia, United States | Tidewater Flight Center | No injuries | - |
| 3 Aug 2008 | Schweizer SGS 2-33A | Windsor, Virginia, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 31 Jan 2008 | Airindus THORPEDO T211 | Stafford, Virginia, United States | - | No injuries | - |