I.C.A.-Brasov IS-26B2 accident near Fincastle, Virginia, August 10, 2008
On August 10, 2008 at about 6:00 pm local time, a I.C.A.-Brasov IS-26B2 (glider), registered N4281B, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Fincastle, Virginia (Springwood Gliderport airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's geographic disorientation, which resulted in an off-airport landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's selection of an inadequate landing site.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 10, 2008 · about 6:00 pm local time
- Place
- Fincastle, Virginia · Springwood Gliderport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- I.C.A.-Brasov IS-26B2
- Registration
- N4281B · registry record · serial 123
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot of the I.C.A.-Brasov glider, he was towed to 4,000 feet and released southwest of the airport for a local flight. After release, the pilot attempted to orient himself geographically, but was unsuccessful. He typically operated north and east of the airport. According to the passenger, the pilot misidentified several landmarks, and the passenger attempted to correct him. The pilot eventually realized that he was no longer able to return to the airport of origin. He selected what he believed to be a suitable landing site, but after he turned onto the base leg of the approach, he saw that the field crop was corn instead of hay. At that point, the pilot was committed to landing, and there was no suitable alternate field within range. The glider settled into the corn, but then dropped suddenly to the ground, which resulted in substantial damage.
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
- Miscellaneous/other during enroute (cruise)
- Off-field or emergency landing during enroute (cruise)
- Collision during takeoff/land during landing defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Perception/orientation/illusio › Geographic disorient (lost) › Pilot
- factor Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action selection › Pilot
- factor Environmental issues › Physical environment › Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surfa › (general) › Decision related to condition
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 7,868 hours in all; 18 in this make and model; 7 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 5,662 as pilot in command; 3,614 on instruments
- Last flight review: August 1, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,200 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 1, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 1,301 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine:; 0 hours total
- Operator: Springwood Soaring Association
The flight
- Departed from: 08VA Fincastle VA at 5:00 pm
- Destination: 08VA Buchanan VA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 6,000 ft
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
- Observation at 5:54 pm from ROA, 18 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.