# NTSB SEA93LA119: Applebay Zuni, N4321D, Deer Park, WA, May 23, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 23, 1993, 14:10 local (21:10 UTC)
- Place: Deer Park, WA
- Coordinates: 47.990726, -117.500617 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9907&lon=-117.5006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 19, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 43032
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA93LA119
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43032/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93LA119

## Probable cause

IMPROPERLY PLANNED APPROACH BY THE PIC.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PIC ELECTED TO MAKE AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING DUE TO LACK OF THERMAL LIFT. HE FLEW A TRAFFIC PATTERN FOR A LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD, AND LOWERED THE LANDING GEAR AND FULL FLAPS ON FINAL APPROACH BEFORE A LANDING IN THE FIELD WAS ASSURED. WHEN IT WAS APPARENT THE ACFT WOULD UNDERSHOOT THE FIELD, THE PIC INITIATED A STEEP TURN TO AVOID IMPACT WITH TREES AT THE EDGE OF THE FIELD AND THE RIGHT WING IMPACTED THE GROUND WHILE THE GLIDER WAS IN A RIGHT BANKED ATTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4321D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4321D), registered now, S/N 10, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: APPLEBAY 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: 10
- Airframe hours: 415
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Forney, George D.
- Registered owner: Forney, George D.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 16, 1992, 31 hours before
- Departed: 07S
- Destination: 07S

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: center; flight hours: 561 total, 175 in this make and model, 532 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SFF, 11 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 19930523016339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930523016339A), May 23, 1993: Amtr ZUNI, Deer Park, WA, Substantial damage. Lost thermals. Tried land in field gear and flaps down. High sink rate. Hit ground wing low avoiding trees.

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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