Ica Brasov IS-29D2 accident near Benton, Tennessee, October 14, 2011
On October 14, 2011 at about 8:00 pm local time, a Ica Brasov IS-29D2 (glider), registered N1339X, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Benton, Tennessee (Chilhowee Gliderport airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper in-flight planning, which resulted in a low-altitude traffic pattern entry and subsequent collision with telephone wires.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 14, 2011 · about 8:00 pm local time
- Place
- Benton, Tennessee · Chilhowee Gliderport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ica Brasov IS-29D2 · all IS-29D2s on the register
- Registration
- N1339X · no longer on the register · serial 92
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the glider stated that he was returning to the airport at the conclusion of a 1.5-hour flight. The pilot approached the airport at a slow airspeed and a lower-than-normal altitude due to a misinterpretation of the altimeter reading. The pilot continued the approach for landing, and the glider struck telephone wires on the final leg of the traffic pattern. The glider sustained substantial damage to the wing spar and tailboom. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the glider.
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
- Controlled flight into terrain or object (CFIT) during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 3,000 hours in all; 67 in this make and model; 14 in the last 90 days; 9 in the last 30 days; 2,500 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 1, 2011
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 794 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: retractable
The flight
- Departed from: 92A Benton TN at 6:30 pm
- Destination: 92A Benton TN
- Flight plan: not recorded
- Runway 03, 2,600 ft by 200 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 13 knots, gusting 28
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 7,000 ft
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 29.86 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 pm from CHA, 32 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number ERA12CA027.