Aero Tek INC. ZUNI accident near Aguila, Arizona, May 3, 2014
On May 3, 2014 at about 7:10 pm local time, a 1976 Aero Tek INC. ZUNI (glider), registered N22DA, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Aguila, Arizona (Sampley'S airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
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.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 3, 2014 · about 7:10 pm local time
- Place
- Aguila, Arizona · Sampley'S · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aero Tek INC. ZUNI NO SERIES, built 1976
- Registration
- N22DA · no longer on the register · serial 2
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Glider tow event during initial climb
- Loss of control in flight during initial climb defining event
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during initial climb
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Misc hardware › (general) › Not serviced/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 867 hours in all; 25.8 in this make and model
- Last flight review: April 17, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: None NONE; 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 28AZ Aguila AZ at 7:09 pm
- Destination: 28AZ Aguila AZ
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 3,500 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 130° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 91°F (33°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observation at 7:15 pm from KXK, 39 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.