# NTSB ATL93LA110: Aerotek Zuni, N12ZW, Brownsboro, AL, June 12, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 12, 1993, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Brownsboro, AL
- Coordinates: 34.720607, -86.479217 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7206&lon=-86.4792&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 19, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8741
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93LA110
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8741/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93LA110

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S MISJUDGMENT OF DISTANCE AND ALTITUDE WHICH RESULTED IN THE COLLISION WITH TREES SHORT OF THE RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, WHILE ON FINAL TO RUNWAY 27, HE ALLOWED THE GLIDER TO DEVELOP A HIGH SINK RATE, AND HE WAS UNABLE TO ARREST THE SINK RATE  BEFORE THE GLIDER COLLIDED WITH THE TREE LINE. NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE REPORTED WITH THE GLIDER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N12ZW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N12ZW-2018-01-11), registration cancelled 2018-01-11, S/N 12, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Aerotek ZUNI
- Registry model: [Aero Tek ZUNI](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-tek-zuni) (registry code 0130102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 12
- Airframe hours: 100
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Edgemon, George D.
- Registered owner: Edgemon, George D.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, September 6, 1992
- Departed: 3M5
- Destination: 3M5
- Airport: 3M5, Moontown Airport, runway 27, 2,200 × 160 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 114 total, 5 in this make and model, 89 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 11 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HSV, 20 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19930612017959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930612017959A), Jun 12, 1993: Amtr ZUNI2, Huntsville, AL, Substantial damage. High sink rate on final. Unchecked, landed in trees short of runway.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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