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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

March 23, 1995 · Aerotek ZUNI · N19PF

Morganton, NC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 23, 1995
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Morganton, NC
Aircraft
Aerotek ZUNI
Tail Number
N19PF
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL95LA069

THE GLIDER IMPACTED THE TREES TO THE EAST OF THE AIRPORT DURING AN APPROACH TO RUNWAY 21. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE GLIDER HIT WINDSHEAR. AS A RESULT OF THE WINDSHEAR, THE GLIDER WAS IN A 60 TO 70 DEGREE BANK TO THE RIGHT AND THE GLIDER HAD LOST AIRSPEED AND ALTITUDE. A SAILPLANE INSTRUCTOR WHO WITNESSED THE ACCIDENT STATED THAT THE AIRSPEED WAS APPROXIMATELY 60 KNOTS BUT SHOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH HIGHER CONSIDERING THE GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. AN INSPECTION OF THE GLIDER REVEALED NO INDICATIONS OF A MECHANICAL FAILURE. THE PILOT REPORTED MODERATE TURBULENCE.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S POORLY PLANNED APPROACH WHICH RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT BECAUSE OF GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS.

Full Narrative

On March 23, 1995, about 1520 eastern standard time, an Aero Tek Zuni, N19PF, collided with the ground during an approach to the Morganton-Lenoir Airport, Morganton, North Carolina. The glider was operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. A flight plan was not filed for the local personal flight. The private pilot had minor injuries, and the glider was substantially damaged. Origination of the flight was Morganton, about 1430, on the same day. According to a sailplane instructor who witnessed the accident, the glider began the turn from downwind to base during the approach to runway 21. He stated that the airspeed was approximately 60 knots, but should have been much higher, considering the gusty wind conditions at the time of the accident. As he watched, the bank angle increased to approximately 60 to 70 degrees and the nose of the glider fell to an almost vertical position. The glider then disappeared from his view behind some trees. The glider subsequently impacted trees and the ground. The pilot stated that, while turning base to final at approximately 350 feet, the glider hit a windshear. As a result of the windshear, the glider lost altitude and airspeed and the right wing was lifted. The pilot reported that the glider was blown from the intended course to land on runway 21 to above the trees to the east of the runway. The pilot reported moderate turbulence. A mountain wave soaring event was underway at the Morganton-Lenoir Airport. Wind conditions were reported to be strong and gusty, 15 knots with gusts to 25 knots. The glider was turning into a headwind as it made the turn onto the left base for runway 21. An inspection of the aircraft revealed no indication of a mechanical failure. The right wing was located about 30 yard from the main wreckage. The marks on the wing revealed that it broke off when the glider first impacted the trees. The left wing and empennage were separated but located with the fuselage.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:20 EST
Nearest AirportMorganton-Lenior (0nm)
Runway21
Runway Length4000 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAerotek ZUNI
Tail NumberN19PF
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 58 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 15 kt, gusting 20 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data