# NTSB LAX89LA188: Schweizer SGS 2-33A, N2059T, Haleiwa, Oahu, HI, June 29, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 28, 1989, 18:00 local (Jun 29, 1989, 04:00 UTC)
- Place: Haleiwa, Oahu, HI
- Coordinates: 21.589042, -158.099792 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=21.5890&lon=-158.0998&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 2, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26403
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA188
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26403/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA188

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR WIND CONDITIONS AND THE FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO CLEAR OBSTACLES. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE DOWNDRAFTS ALONG THE RIDGE LINE.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS SOARING ALONG A RIDGE AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO MAINTAIN AT LEAST 330' AGL. HE SAID THAT HE ENCOUNTERED A STRONG DOWNDRAFT AND WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE AND CRASHED INTO THE TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2059T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2059T-2018-02-12), registration cancelled 2018-02-12, S/N 489, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS 2-33A
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-2-33a) (registry code 8051606) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 489
- Engines: UNKNOWN UNKNOWN unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Civil Air Patrol
- Registered owner: Civil Air Patrol
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Departed: HDH, HALEIWA, OAHU, HI
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; commercial, flight instructor; medical: unknown; flight hours: 318 total, 285 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days, 36 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 45° at 15 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -0 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19890628018429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890628018429A), Jun 28, 1989: Scwzer SGS233A, Haleiwa, HI, Substantial damage. Encountered severe downdraft 300 feet above a ridge. Unable to recover settled into trees.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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