Schweizer SGS 1-26 accident near Waialua, Hawaii, May 23, 1990
On May 23, 1990 at about 9:08 pm local time, a Schweizer SGS 1-26 (glider), registered N15SH, was substantially damaged in an accident near Waialua, Hawaii. It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM CLOUDS.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 23, 1990 · about 9:08 pm local time
- Place
- Waialua, Hawaii · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Schweizer SGS 1-26 · all SGS 1-26s on the register
- Registration
- N15SH · no longer on the register · serial 076
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
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: student
- Flight time: 51 hours in all; 18 in this make and model; 7 in the last 90 days; 7 in the last 30 days; 33 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 575 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: (type not recorded); 0 hours total
- Operator: Soar Hawaii, LTD.
The flight
- Departed from: HDH Mokuleia, Oahu HI at 8:52 pm
- Destination: HDH
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 065° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 300 ft; clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.