Smith APPLEBAY ZUNI II N1ZV

Summary

On 29 July 2012 at about 17:43 local time, a Smith APPLEBAY ZUNI II registered N1ZV, operated by Wasilewski Stephen G, was involved in an accident near Gregory, Michigan, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

29 July 2012 at 17:43

Classification

Accident

Location

Gregory, Michigan, United States

Nearest airport

Richmond Field Airport (69G)

Coordinates

42.4419, -84.0644

Aircraft

Smith APPLEBAY ZUNI II

Registration

N1ZV

Category

Glider

Operator

Wasilewski Stephen G

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Gregory → Gregory

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN12LA490

1 person was seriously injured.

The glider pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient altitude and airspeed while turning to the base leg of the traffic pattern, which resulted in a stall/spin and impact with trees and terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the takeoff and tow to 3,000 feet above ground level (agl) was normal. The pilot released the glider from the tow airplane about 2 miles northwest of the airport. He was unable to achieve the necessary lift, and, as the glider lost altitude, he started flying back toward the airport and proceeded toward the initial point for landing on the runway. As the pilot flew the glider on the downwind pattern leg, he realized that he was not going to be able to complete the traffic pattern. He attempted to clear the tree line that crossed the downwind leg, but the glider hit the trees and subsequently impacted terrain. A witness reported that the glider's altitude was about 125 to 150 feet agl when it was on the downwind leg and that its airspeed was too low. The witness added that the glider continued to slow as it turned to the base leg, at which point, the left wing stalled, and then the glider pitched down nearly vertical and completed about 1/2 spin before it disappeared behind the trees. A postaccident examination of the airframe revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.