What happened
According to reports from FAA inspectors, a student pilot was engaged in ridge soaring operations under weak atmospheric conditions. While maneuvering along the ridgeline, the aircraft encountered a sinking air mass. During this phase of flight, the right wing of the glider made contact with a tree. Despite the impact, the pilot retained control and successfully continued the flight, eventually landing at Dillingham Airfield without further incident. An off-duty Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) supervisor later observed the aircraft in a hangar and noted visible damage to the airframe.
The investigation
FAA inspectors reviewed the circumstances of the event. The primary finding was the physical contact between the glider's right wing and a tree, attributed to the pilot's encounter with sinking air while operating near the ridgeline.