I.C.A. Brasov IS-28-B2 accident near Blairstown, New Jersey, September 12, 2002
On September 12, 2002 at about 7:00 pm local time, a I.C.A. Brasov IS-28-B2 (glider), registered N8216Q, was substantially damaged in an accident near Blairstown, New Jersey. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The second pilot's improper in-flight decision to perform a release from the towplane, which did not allow for successful completion of the flight. A factor was the downdrafts.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 12, 2002 · about 7:00 pm local time
- Place
- Blairstown, New Jersey · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- I.C.A. Brasov IS-28-B2
- Registration
- N8216Q · no longer on the register · serial 360
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Two pilots were onboard a glider being towed to a release point. Prior to departure, they had agreed that the PIC who occupied the rear seat would handle the glider under tow, and the landing at their departure airport. The front seat pilot would handle the glider during free flight. According to the PIC, the 2nd pilot performed an uncommanded release of the glider from the towplane, about 500 feet AGL, and then would not turn the glider in the direction the PIC requested. The glider encountered descending air, and settled into trees. The second pilot reported the PIC ordered him to release the glider from tow, after which the glider encountered descend air, and settled into the trees. The ridge being used for lift was orientated northeast, southwest. The winds at a nearby airport were variable from the northwest to east, at 12 knot, with gusts to 16 knots.
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: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 17,940 hours in all; 20 in this make and model; 8 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: October 10, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: no injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 11,912 hours in all
- Last flight review: March 15, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 434 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 19, 2002; 70 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,301 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine:; 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 1N7 Blairstown NJ at 6:50 pm
- Destination: 1N7
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 020° at 7 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 6:54 pm from 12N, 13 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | 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.