ALAMOGORDO, NM, USA
N70792
I.C.A. Brasov IS-28B2
DURING TAKEOFF INITIAL CLIMB, THE TOW PLANE AND GLIDER FLEW THROUGH A 'DUST DEVIL' AND THE TURBULENCE THAT WAS ENCOUNTERED CAUSED SLACK IN THE TOW LINE. THE GLIDER PILOT MADE A CORRECTION FOR THE SLACK; HOWEVER, WHEN THE TOW LINE BECAME TAUT, IT 'SNAPPED.' SINCE THE GLIDER WAS LESS THAN 200 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE PILOT DECIDED TO LAND STRAIGHT AHEAD ON A ROAD. DURING FINAL APPROACH, THE LEFT WING STRUCK 15 FOOT HIGH BRUSH WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY 'SPUN THE GLIDER AROUND AS IT IMPACTED THE GROUND.' THE LEFT WING SPAR WAS DAMAGED, AND THE TAIL SECTION WAS TWISTED.
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.
THE ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN AVAILABLE FOR THE FORCED LANDING.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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