I.C.A. Brasov IS-28B2 accident near Alamogordo, New Mexico, October 2, 1994
On October 2, 1994 at about 8:00 pm local time, a I.C.A. Brasov IS-28B2 (glider), registered N70792, was substantially damaged in an accident near Alamogordo, New Mexico. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN AVAILABLE FOR THE FORCED LANDING.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 2, 1994 · about 8:00 pm local time
- Place
- Alamogordo, New Mexico · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- I.C.A. Brasov IS-28B2
- Registration
- N70792 · no longer on the register · serial 80
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
DURING TAKEOFF INITIAL CLIMB, THE TOW PLANE AND GLIDER FLEW THROUGH A 'DUST DEVIL' AND THE TURBULENCE THAT WAS ENCOUNTERED CAUSED SLACK IN THE TOW LINE. THE GLIDER PILOT MADE A CORRECTION FOR THE SLACK; HOWEVER, WHEN THE TOW LINE BECAME TAUT, IT 'SNAPPED.' SINCE THE GLIDER WAS LESS THAN 200 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE PILOT DECIDED TO LAND STRAIGHT AHEAD ON A ROAD. DURING FINAL APPROACH, THE LEFT WING STRUCK 15 FOOT HIGH BRUSH WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY 'SPUN THE GLIDER AROUND AS IT IMPACTED THE GROUND.' THE LEFT WING SPAR WAS DAMAGED, AND THE TAIL SECTION WAS TWISTED.
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: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 34 hours in all; 5 in this make and model; 17 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 23 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Unknown
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,080 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 5, 1993
- Maximum gross weight: 1,300 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: (type not recorded); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: ALM NM
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.