What happened
The pilot of the glider determined that it was no longer possible to return to the intended landing strip. Consequently, he executed a close-in approach toward a field that had telephone wires located at the approach end. While turning to final approach, the pilot felt the glider stall. He initiated a recovery maneuver, but the glider impacted the ground hard in a wings-level attitude with a slight nose-low pitch. The glider slid into a fence and came to rest.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the circumstances surrounding the stall and the subsequent impact. The pilot's inability to reach the intended field necessitated an emergency landing site selection. The presence of telephone wires at the approach end of the selected field was noted as a significant hazard during the close-in approach.
Findings
The primary factor in this accident was the stall during the turn to final approach. The pilot's decision to execute a close-in approach to a field with overhead obstructions contributed to the difficulty in maintaining control and altitude. The hard impact resulted in damage to the glider, which then slid into a fence.
Safety message
Pilots should be aware of the hazards posed by telephone wires and other overhead obstructions when selecting emergency landing sites. Ensuring adequate altitude for maneuvering is critical to avoid stalls during final approach.