Schweizer SGS1-34 accident near Hemet, California, September 9, 1990
On September 9, 1990 at about 10:30 pm local time, a Schweizer SGS1-34 (glider), registered N1163S, was substantially damaged in an accident near Hemet, California (Hemet-Ryan airport). 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 visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 9, 1990 · about 10:30 pm local time
- Place
- Hemet, California · Hemet-Ryan
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schweizer SGS1-34 · all SGS1-34s on the register
- Registration
- N1163S · no longer on the register
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE NONCERTIFICATED SOLO STUDENT PILOT DEPARTED HEMET AIRPORT ON A LOCAL SOARING FLIGHT. WHEN RETURNING THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED HEADWINDS AND FAILED TO COMPENSATE FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS. REALIZING THAT THE GLIDER'S ALTITUDE WAS INSUFFICIENT TO NEGOTIATE THE AIRPORT THE STUDENT PILOT ELECTED TO LAND IN AN OPEN FIELD. THE TOUCHDOWN WAS SUCCESSFUL HOWEVER DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE RIGHT WING COLLIDED WITH A ROCK.
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
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 840 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: (type not recorded); 0 hours total
- Operator: Sailplane Enterprise, INC.
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 235° at 10 knots
- 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.
Other NTSB records under N1163S the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.