# NTSB LAX90DJA02: Bryce Duster BJ-1B, N25601, Haleiwa, Oahu, HI, December 11, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: December 10, 1989, 14:00 local (Dec 11, 1989, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Haleiwa, Oahu, HI
- Coordinates: 21.589942, -158.099822 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=21.5899&lon=-158.0998&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26524
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90DJA02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26524/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90DJA02

## Probable cause

THE SEPARATION IN FLIGHT OF THE VERTICAL WOOD FIN FROM THE MAIN STRUCTURE. IT WAS NOT DETERMINED IF THE SEPARATION WAS DUE TO OVERLOAD FORCES OR FATIGUE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - vertical stabilizer surface - separation (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency

## Analysis

THE GLIDER PILOT HEARD A LOUD BANG AND LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WHILE ENTERING DOWNWIND OVER THE OCEAN. HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE AND DITCHED INTO THE WATER. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT INDICATED THE VERTICAL FIN HAD BROKEN OFF IN FLIGHT AND WAS NOT RECOVERED. THE ATTACHMENT POINT TO THE VERTICAL FIN WOOD STRUCTURE HAD WOOD FIBERS EXPOSING STRAIGHT UPWARDS. CONTROL CONTINUITY WAS ESTABLISHED WITH THE REST OF THE AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25601](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25601-1991-02-01), registration cancelled 1991-02-01, S/N 137 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BRYCE DUSTER BJ-1B
- Registry model: [Bryce DUSTER BJ-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bryce-duster-bj-1b) (registry code 0564738) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider, amateur-built
- Serial number: 137
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kaala Soaring
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 29, 1989
- Departed: HDH, HALEIWA, HI
- Airport: HDH, Dillimgham Airfield

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 650 total, 250 in this make and model, 650 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19891210049519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891210049519A), Dec 10, 1989: Amtrcs DUSTERSAILPL, Mokuleia, HI, Substantial damage. Pilot reported vertical fin separated in flight. Crashed in ocean.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.