Accident
A private glider pilot, who had accumulated a total of 47 hours of flight time, departed a local airfield with a passenger. The flight began with an aerotow to approximately 2,000 feet above ground level (AGL), at which point the pilot released the towline and began soaring. The glider remained aloft for about one hour before the pilot decided to return to the departure airport.
Upon establishing the glider on final approach, the pilot encountered descending air currents, commonly referred to as down drafts. These conditions prevented the glider from reaching the runway. The pilot subsequently selected a soybean field as a landing site and initiated a precautionary landing procedure.
During the final approach to the field, the glider struck a tree. The impact caused the aircraft to cartwheel onto the ground. No further details were available regarding injuries or damage.
Investigation
The circumstances of the accident were documented based on the pilot's account. The pilot reported having no prior issues during the flight until the final approach phase. The aircraft's configuration and performance during the event were consistent with the pilot's description of encountering down drafts and being unable to extend the glide to the runway. No determination of probable cause was provided in the source material.