Incident Overview
During a landing approach, a glider pilot observed another glider occupying the runway. The pilot maintained altitude until the other glider cleared the runway. Once the runway was clear, the pilot initiated a descent with the spoilers fully extended.
Sequence of Events
According to the pilot, upon reaching the desired altitude and leveling off with a pull backward on the control stick, the glider mushed and struck several peach trees at the approach end of the runway. The aircraft subsequently groundlooped before coming to a stop.
Pilot Remarks
The pilot stated that he was accustomed to flying a different type of glider equipped with flaps, and noted that the handling characteristics between that aircraft and the one involved in the incident were different.