Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
THE ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN AVAILABLE FOR THE FORCED LANDING.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On October 2, 1994, at 1400 mountain daylight time, a Brasov IS-28B2, N70792, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Alamogordo, New Mexico. The pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight.
The pilot/operator report stated the following information. During takeoff initial climb, the tow plane and glider flew through a "dust devil" and the turbulence that was encountered produced slack in the tow line. The glider pilot made a correction for the slack; however, when the tow line became taught, it "snapped." Since the glider was less than 200 feet above the ground, the pilot made the decision to land straight ahead on a dirt road. During the final approach, the left wing struck 15 foot high brush which subsequently "spun the glider around as it impacted the ground."
According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the left wing spar was damaged, and the tail section was twisted.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# FTW95LA006