Schweizer SGS 1-26B accident near Truckee, California, June 4, 1990
On June 4, 1990 at about 10:03 pm local time, a Schweizer SGS 1-26B (glider), registered N2423W, was substantially damaged in an accident near Truckee, California. It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER DECISION TO RELEASE FROM THE TOW AIRPLANE AT AN INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE ON THE LEE SIDE OF THE MOUNTAINS.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 4, 1990 · about 10:03 pm local time
- Place
- Truckee, California
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schweizer SGS 1-26B · all SGS 1-26Bs on the register
- Registration
- N2423W · no longer on the register · serial 355
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE STUDENT GLIDER PILOT RELEASED FROM THE TOW AIRPLANE WITHOUT COMMUNICATING WITH THE TOW PILOT. THE GLIDER PROCEEDED IN A NORTHEAST DIRECTION TOWARD THE LEE SIDE OF THE MOUNTAINS. THE SURFACE WIND WAS FROM THE SOUTHWEST. THE GLIDER WAS OBSERVED AT A LOW ALTITUDE DISAPPEARING OVER A RIDGE. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A 50 FT TREE ABOUT 10 FEET FROM THE TOP THEN COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND.
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: 62 hours in all; 3 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: Unknown
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,958 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 2, 1989; 64 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 600 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Unknown UNKNOWN (type not recorded); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°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.