Incident Overview
A glider pilot made an off-airport landing following a loss of lift and subsequently collided with ground obstructions during the landing rollout. The pilot reported that no weather facilities were available at the uncontrolled field, aside from windsocks located at each end and at midfield. The preflight weather briefing forecast winds from the northeast, consistent with the prevailing northeast trade winds.
Preflight Weather Information
The pilot indicated that he also received local weather information from other glider pilots who had been flying prior to his departure. This supplementary information informed his assessment of conditions before the flight.
Flight Sequence
After releasing from the tow plane at 2,000 feet above ground level (agl), the glider began to lose altitude instead of gaining altitude as the pilot expected. He turned to the north, away from a ridge where a strong sink rate had been reported, and proceeded to the practice area. Shortly thereafter, the pilot realized that strong southwesterly winds were creating a strong sink rate condition and turned toward the airport.
Off-Airport Landing
When it became apparent that the glider had insufficient altitude to reach the airport, the pilot elected to make an off-field landing on a road in an abandoned sugar cane plantation. During the landing rollout, the left wing contacted a dirt berm. The glider then turned 180 degrees from the initial landing direction and came to rest in a ditch.