Accident Sequence
The flight involved a glider whose pilot had less than one hour of prior experience in that specific make and model. During the initial climb, while between 100 and 200 feet above ground level (AGL), both the tow plane and the glider encountered turbulence. During the downwind climb, at approximately 400 feet AGL and 300 feet from the runway's edge, the glider pilot released the tow rope. The pilot then initiated a turn onto the base leg before reaching the end of the runway, and continued the turn to final approach.
Final Approach and Landing
On final approach, the pilot estimated a sink rate of 2600 feet per minute. The glider subsequently landed short of the runway, hitting tractor ruts in the process. The impact caused the glider to skew about 80 degrees to the left, and it stopped short of the runway surface. Witnesses reported that the glider's spoilers were deployed from the base leg through to landing.
Pilot Experience and Conditions
The pilot's experience in that make and model was less than one hour. Turbulence was noted by both the tow plane and the glider during the initial climb phase of the flight.