I.C.A.-Brasov (Romania) IS 29D accident near Avenal, CA
On May 19, 2018, an I.C.A.-Brasov (Romania) IS 29D (glider) was involved in an accident near Avenal, CA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- May 19, 2018
- Place
- Avenal, CA
- Aircraft
- I.C.A.-Brasov (Romania) IS 29D · Glider
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 35.938°N, 120.219°W
- NTSB ID
- 20180520X33906
Official records · WPR18FA143
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
Air traffic control records
- Record of Communication Co-Owner: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov
- Record of Communication - Pilot's Wife: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn May 19, 2018, at an unknown time, an ICA-Brasov IS-29D Lark glider, N38ES, was destroyed during a flight near Avenal, California following an inflight separation of its wings, and subsequent impact with mountainous terrain. The private pilot was fatally injured. The glider was owned by the pilot and another individual; the pilot was operating the glider as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Avenal Airport (CA69), Avenal, California. According to the co-owner, he and the accident pilot had purchased the disassembled glider in November 2017. The co-owner reported that the glider had last been flown about 7 years earlier. The glider was initially trailered to the co-owner's home, where the co-owner and pilot examined the glider in detail. The glider design included removable wings to facilitate storage and transport in an enclosed trailer. The glider remained there unassembled, and a few months later, was trailered to the pilot's home. Maintenance records indicated that the pilot completed an annual inspection on the glider in February 2018. Several weeks before the accident, it was trailered to CA69. On April 27, 2018, the pilot, co-owner, and a third individual assembled the glider at CA69. All were members of the Central California Soaring Club (CCSC), which was based at CA69. The accident flight was the glider's first flight since purchase. The glider was towed aloft and released from the tow plane about 1227. About an hour l
Probable cause
The pilot's improper installation of the wings onto the glider, which resulted in an in-flight wing separation. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's limited familiarity with the design and a lack of reliable assembly guidance.
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Browse: California
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
