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Atlas / NTSB / LAX90LA325

NTSB CAROL · Event

Event LAX90LA325

1990-09-09 HEMET, California, United States Airport · HMT None 1 aircraft Status: Completed

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS.

Factual narrative

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. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_1990_LAX90LA325.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.