I.C.A.-Brasov (Romania) IS-28B2 accident near Hampshire, Illinois, May 16, 2021
On May 16, 2021 at about 6:00 pm local time, a 1977 I.C.A.-Brasov (Romania) IS-28B2 (glider), registered N41CR, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Hampshire, Illinois (Sky Soaring airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The flight instructor’s failure to maintain aircraft control resulting in the exceedance of the glider’s critical angle of attack following the breakage of the weak/safety link during a winch launch, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin, and subsequent impact with trees and terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 16, 2021 · about 6:00 pm local time
- Place
- Hampshire, Illinois · Sky Soaring · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- I.C.A.-Brasov (Romania) IS-28B2, built 1977 · all IS-28B2s on the register
- Registration
- N41CR · no longer on the register · serial 71
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The flight instructor of the instructional glider flight reported that during a winch launch with the student pilot, the glider accelerated to 70 kts exceeding the winch launch speed. As the flight instructor attempted to decrease the airspeed to the normal winch launch speed, the weak/safety link broke and the glider separated from the towing cable. The flight instructor attempted to maneuver the glider for a landing back to the runway; however, during the turn to enter the final approach, the glider’s critical angle of attack was exceeded, and the glider entered an aerodynamic stall/spin. The glider impacted trees and terrain coming to rest on a grass field. The glider sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and to both wings. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. The flight instructor also reported that he should have maintained sufficient airspeed to prevent a “stall/spin” at a low altitude.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Glider tow event during initial climb
- Miscellaneous/other during initial climb defining event
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during emergency descent
- Loss of control in flight during emergency descent
- Simulated/training event during initial climb
- Off-field or emergency landing during landing
- Collision during takeoff/land during landing
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Instructor/check pilot
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Angle of attack › Capability exceeded
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine sea; instructor: glider; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 762 hours in all; 20 in this make and model; 28 in the last 90 days; 23 in the last 30 days; 527 as pilot in command; 132 on instruments
- Last flight review: August 17, 2020
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: rear
- Injury: minor injuries
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,553 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 20, 2021
- Maximum gross weight: 1,300 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: None None (none); 0 hours total
- Operator: Sky Soaring INC
The flight
- Departed from: 55LL Hampshire IL at 6:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 09-2, 3,000 ft by 100 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 230° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 3,700 ft
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.18 inHg
- Observation at 12:55 pm from KDKB, 16 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KDKB 161755Z AUTO 23005KT 10SM SCT037 19/12 A3018 RMK AO2 T01930117 10194 20114
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on July 15, 2021. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Accident Photographs | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Additional Documents | PDF, 12 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.