# NTSB ATL95LA069: Aerotek Zuni, N19PF, Morganton, NC, March 23, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 23, 1995, 15:20 local (20:20 UTC) - Place: Morganton, NC - Coordinates: 35.74084, -81.689926 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7408&lon=-81.6899&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 31, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3537 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL95LA069 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3537/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA069 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S POORLY PLANNED APPROACH WHICH RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT BECAUSE OF GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - base turn - weather condition - windshear (cause) - weather condition - turbulence (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base turn - planned approach - poor, pilot in command (cause) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis 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. ## Factual 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N19PF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N19PF-2015-05-18), registration cancelled 2015-05-18, S/N 19, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aerotek ZUNI - Registry model: [Applebay Sailplanes ZUNI](https://openairdocs.org/model/applebay-sailplanes-zuni) (registry code 0130202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 19 - Airframe hours: 420 - Engines: unknown - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Esser, John R. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 5, 1994, 17 hours before - Airport: MRN, Morganton-Lenior, runway 21, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; private; seat: front; flight hours: 83 total, 41 in this make and model, 62 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 15 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MRN ## 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 19950323005289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950323005289A), Mar 23, 1995: Amtr ZUNI, Morganton, NC, Substantial damage. Too low on approach for gusty wind descended into 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.