Summary
A glider pilot ferrying the aircraft to Buena Vista, Colorado, experienced a landing mishap on a sod strip adjacent to a closed runway. The glider's tail struck an old tire, causing damage to the elevators and the rear-most bulkhead of the tail section.
Accident Details
According to the investigation, the pilot had previously obtained permission to land on a closed runway at Buena Vista. After being towed to the area, the pilot released the glider from the tow plane and flew in the local vicinity for approximately 40 minutes. The pilot then descended and landed on a sod strip situated beside the paved runway.
During the landing roll, the pilot steered the glider to the west to avoid aircraft that had been assembled and parked on an apron. Reportedly, this maneuver brought the glider too close to the edge of the strip. As a result, the glider's tail contacted an old tire lying on the ground.
Damage
The impact of the tire strike damaged the elevators and the rear-most bulkhead of the glider's tail section. No other damage was reported.