I.C.A. Brasov IS-2902 accident near Katy, Texas, June 30, 1983
On June 30, 1983 at about 5:35 pm local time, a I.C.A. Brasov IS-2902 (glider), registered N4999K, was substantially damaged in an accident near Katy, Texas (Harbican 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).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 30, 1983 · about 5:35 pm local time
- Place
- Katy, Texas · Harbican · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- I.C.A. Brasov IS-2902
- Registration
- N4999K · no longer on the register · serial 115
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE GLIDER COLLIDED WITH A DITCH DURING A FORCED LANDING AFTER THE TOW ROPE DISCONNECTED SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. THE PLT WAS NOT ABLE TO AVOID THE DITCH DURING LANDING DUE TO A STRONG SINK RATE. THE TOW HOOK ASSEMBLY WAS EXAMINED AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND NO DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND. THIS DEVICE REQUIRES A VERY CLOSE VISUAL INSPECTION TO INSURE IT IS OVER CENTER (FULLY ENGAGED) BEFORE BEING USED. EVEN THOUGH NOT FULLY LOCKED IT WILL HOLD FOR A TIME BEFORE INADVERTENT RELEASE OCCURS.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 572 hours in all; 8 in this make and model; 28 in the last 90 days; 456 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 29, 1982
- Maximum gross weight: 900 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: (type not recorded); 0 hours total
- Operator: Houston Soaring Association
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 27, 2,700 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 8 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 3,000 ft
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.