# NTSB FTW00LA220: Aero Tek Zuni, N6ZF, Uvalde, TX, July 30, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 30, 2000, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Uvalde, TX
- Coordinates: 29.209461, -99.779731 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.2095&lon=-99.7797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 2, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 49857
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00LA220
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49857/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA220

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadvertent flight into adverse weather conditions which resulted in a forced landing.  A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

## 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 - final approach
  - weather condition - turbulence(thunderstorms)
  - flight into adverse weather - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Analysis

The experimental glider struck the ground short of the runway when it encountered adverse weather conditions during the final approach.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight; however, a thunderstorm moved north-south across the airport during the time of the accident.  The glider encountered moderate to severe turbulence associated with the thunderstorm, and the pilot initiated an off field landing.  During the off airport landing, the right wing contacted brush, and the airplane groundlooped.

## Factual narrative

On July 30, 2000, at 1430 central daylight time, an Aero-Tek, Inc., Zuni experimental glider, N6ZF, struck the ground short of runway 33 at the Garner Field Airport, near Uvalde, Texas, during the final approach when it encountered adverse weather conditions.  The private pilot/owner was not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight; however, a thunderstorm moved north-south across the airport during the time of the accident.  A flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 local flight which departed the Garner Field Airport at 1400.

The pilot reported that the glider encountered moderate to severe turbulence associated with the thunderstorm, while on final approach to runway 33.  The pilot further stated that the glider lost altitude, and there was "insufficient remaining altitude" to reach the runway.  He initiated an off field landing approximately 400 feet short of the runway.  During the landing roll, the right wing contacted brush, and the airplane groundlooped.  Structural damage occurred to the fuselage, tailboom, and the elevator.  The right aileron and the seat sustained damage.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6ZF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6ZF), registered now, S/N 6 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERO TEK, INC. ZUNI
- Registry model: [Aero Tek ZUNI](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-tek-zuni) (registry code 0130102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider, amateur-built
- Serial number: 6
- Airframe hours: 364
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mark R. Doherty
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 7, 2000, 18 hours before
- Departed: UVA
- Airport: UVA, Uvalde/Garner Field, runway 33, 5,255 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 75 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 90 °F

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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