Ab Sportine Aviacija GENESIS 2 accident near Roseland, Virginia, October 20, 2012
On October 20, 2012 at about 6:00 pm local time, a Ab Sportine Aviacija GENESIS 2 (glider), registered N4KN, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Roseland, Virginia (Tinker Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain glider control during takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 20, 2012 · about 6:00 pm local time
- Place
- Roseland, Virginia · Tinker Field · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ab Sportine Aviacija GENESIS 2
- Registration
- N4KN · registry record · serial 2010
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that as the glider reached flying speed, it began to oscillate with the right wing dipping and impacting the grass runway, which resulted in a loss of control. The tow line disconnected, as designed, and the glider came to rest in an inverted position. A postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the wings and the vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation.
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 takeoff
- Abnormal runway contact during takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Lateral/bank control › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 11,020 hours in all; 0 in this make and model; 60 in the last 90 days; 35 in the last 30 days; 9,605 as pilot in command; 1,007 on instruments
- Last flight review: October 2, 2012
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 156 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 27, 2012; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,157 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: retractable
The flight
- Departed from: N/A Roseland VA at 6:00 pm
- Destination: N/A Roseland VA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 21, 2,400 ft by 200 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 6 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 29.82 inHg
- Observation at 5:54 pm from LYH, 30 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on December 11, 2012. 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 Pilot NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum of Record - Pilot Interview | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Memorandum of Record - Weather Information | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Picture of Accident Glider - Courtesy of the FAA | PDF, 1 page | 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.