HALEIWA, OAHU, HI, USA
N25601
BRYCE DUSTER BJ-1B
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 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
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