Amateur-built BJ-1B accident near Haleiwa, Oahu, Hawaii, December 11, 1989
On December 11, 1989, a amateur-built BJ-1B (glider), registered N25601, was substantially damaged in an accident near Haleiwa, Oahu, Hawaii (Dillimgham Airfield). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
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.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 11, 1989
- Place
- Haleiwa, Oahu, Hawaii · Dillimgham Airfield · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built BJ-1B
- Registration
- N25601 · no longer on the register · serial 137
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 650 hours in all; 250 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 650 as pilot in command; 200 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 29, 1989
- Maximum gross weight: 900 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: (type not recorded); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: HDH Haleiwa HI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 060° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 4,000 ft
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.