Incident Overview
A glider landed short of the runway threshold following a low-altitude release from the tow plane shortly after takeoff. The low release occurred because the glider's spoilers were inadvertently deployed during the takeoff, which prevented the tow plane from climbing above 200 feet above ground level (AGL).
Pilot Actions
After the release, the pilot executed a 270-degree turn to return to the threshold, rather than a 90-degree turn that would have aligned with the runway. The pilot stated that he chose this maneuver under the circumstances.
Communication and Awareness
The ground crew attempted to warn the pilot about the spoiler deployment via radio, but the pilot was unaware of the situation. The pilot's radio volume was turned down, which prevented him from receiving the warnings.
Outcome
The glider landed short of the threshold due to the combination of the low release and the subsequent turning maneuver. The inadvertent spoiler deployment during takeoff was the reason the tow plane could not achieve sufficient altitude for a normal release.