I.C.A. Brasov IS-28B2 accident near Waynesboro, Virginia, April 13, 1997
On April 13, 1997 at about 4:30 pm local time, a I.C.A. Brasov IS-28B2 (glider), registered N2781H, was destroyed in an accident near Waynesboro, Virginia (Eagles Nest airport). 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 pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 13, 1997 · about 4:30 pm local time
- Place
- Waynesboro, Virginia · Eagles Nest · 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
- N2781H · registry record · serial 357
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
After release at 1,100 feet, the glider pilot reported he encountered a 'severe sink' after entering the traffic pattern for landing on Runway 24. The pilot stated he could not complete a landing to Runway 24 and elected to land downwind on runway 06. The pilot completed the landing on Runway 06 where the glider then exited the left side of the runway and struck two parked airplanes. The winds were reported from 280 degrees at 12 knots with gusts to 21 knots. The glide ratio of the glider was approximately 34 to 1 at 58 mph. From an altitude of 1,000 feet, the glider was capable of gliding greater than 6 miles.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: glider; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 638 hours in all; 42 in this make and model; 27 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 608 as pilot in command; 372 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 124 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 2, 1996; 23 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,301 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: (type not recorded); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: W13 at 4:20 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 6, 2,000 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 12 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 41°F (5°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 3:45 pm from CHO, 23 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
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.
Other NTSB records under N2781H the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.