Incident Overview
A glider collided with a tree while on final approach to runway 21. The incident occurred during dusk hours, with the sun low on the horizon, creating glare on the glider canopy. According to the instructor and student aboard, the tree was not visible due to these lighting conditions.
Location Details
The tree was located approximately 300 feet from the runway threshold. Runway obstacle information indicated that the runway threshold was displaced by 200 feet, meaning the usable landing area began further down the runway. The exact position of the tree relative to the displaced threshold is not specified in the source.
Pilot Accounts
Both the instructor and the student stated that they did not see the tree before impact. The instructor highlighted that the low sun angle and resulting glare on the canopy obscured the tree from view. No further details on the approach or any evasive actions were provided.
Post-Incident Observations
The collision with the tree occurred during the landing phase. The source does not describe the extent of damage to the glider or any injuries to occupants. Landing conditions were characterized by dusk lighting, with no mention of other weather factors or ATC involvement.