Aero Tek ZUNI N22DA

Summary

On 3 May 2014 at about 19:10 local time, a Aero Tek ZUNI registered N22DA was involved in an accident near Aguila, Arizona, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

3 May 2014 at 19:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Aguila, Arizona, United States

Nearest airport

Sampley's (28AZ)

Coordinates

33.9228, -113.1814

Aircraft

Aero Tek ZUNI

Registration

N22DA

Category

Glider

Year built

1976

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Aguila → Aguila

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR14FA181

1 person died.

The pilot's inability to maintain control of the glider after the tow cable separated prematurely due to an incomplete engagement of the cable in the control tow release system due to a missing spring.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The glider was being towed, and just after takeoff, at 100 ft above ground level, the glider separated prematurely from the tow cable. Shortly thereafter, the glider impacted the ground. Examination of the accident site revealed that the glider struck terrain east of the runway at a high-impact angle consistent with a loss of control. Due to the low altitude at which the separation occurred, the glider pilot had limited time and opportunity to successfully land the glider off airport. Postaccident examination of the glider's release system revealed that it was missing a spring, which likely resulted in the cable not engaging in the detent and caused the premature release from the tow line. Further examination of the glider did not reveal any additional evidence of a mechanical malfunction that would have precluded normal operation.    

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.