# NTSB LAX90LA190: Schweizer SGS 1-26, N15SH, Waialua, HI, May 23, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 23, 1990, 11:08 local (21:08 UTC)
- Place: Waialua, HI
- Coordinates: 21.570886, -158.119567 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=21.5709&lon=-158.1196&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26816
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA190
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26816/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA190

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM CLOUDS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather condition - clouds
  - weather condition - downdraft
  - weather condition - rain
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT SAID THAT HE WAS WORKING THE HILL SLOPES IN RIDGE LIFT WHEN THE GLIDER WAS SUDDENLY LIFTED INTO THE CLOUDS. THE PILOT SAID HE TRIED TO STEER A NORTHERLY HEADING AWAY FROM THE HILLS BUT THE GLIDER ONLY HAD BASIC INSTRUMENTS. THE PILOT SAID HE DESCENDED OUT OF THE CLOUDS AND FOUND HIMSELF LESS THAN 100 FEET ABOVE A TREE COVERED HILL. THE PILOT SAID THE GLIDER COLLIDED WITH THE TOPS OF THE TREES AND SETTLED INTO THE FOREST CANOPY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N15SH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15SH-2013-09-27), registration cancelled 2013-09-27, S/N 76, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Schweizer SGS 1-26
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-26C](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-26c) (registry code 8050120) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 076
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Soar Hawaii, Ltd.
- Registered owner: Soar Hawaii, Ltd
- Departed: HDH, MOKULEIA, OAHU, HI
- Destination: HDH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; student; flight hours: 51 total, 18 in this make and model, 33 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 65° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °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 19900523017089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900523017089A), May 23, 1990: Scwzer SGS126C, Waialua, HI, Substantial damage. Got into rain and clouds soaring near a ridge. Descended and landed in tree tops.

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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