What happened
An FAA inspector, acting as the pilot-in-command, was undergoing a flight check intended to remove a commercial pilot limitation for "aero tow only" operations. The procedure required completing several successful ground tow launches.
After five successful launches, the FAA inspector administering the check paused the session to review emergency procedures with the applicant. During the sixth ground tow launch, the glider reached an airspeed of 45 knots and a pitch attitude of 45 degrees at an altitude of approximately 160 feet above the ground. At this point, the inspector administering the check released the tow line to abort the launch.
In response to the release, the pilot-in-command pushed the nose forward to recover. However, the airspeed failed to increase to the 50 knots required for a landing flare. The aircraft subsequently experienced a hard landing, bounced, and then touched down on the runway. Both pilots involved in the flight noted that the glider had encountered a pocket of sinking air during the maneuver.
There were no injuries resulting from the incident.