What happened
Following approximately 30 minutes of flight, a flight instructor directed the student pilot to return to the airport and enter the traffic pattern. During the en route portion of the flight, the glider encountered a heavy sink. The instructor observed via the variometer that the aircraft was descending at a rate of 1,000 feet per minute.
In an attempt to fly out of the sink, the instructor instructed the student to increase airspeed. However, the instructor subsequently determined that the aircraft would not reach the airport. Due to insufficient altitude to perform standard maneuvers, the instructor took control of the aircraft and prepared for a downwind landing into a nearby softball field.
The aircraft touched down in the field, and the instructor executed a left ground loop to avoid colliding with a fence. No significant weather was reported at the time or location of the accident.
Findings
- The aircraft encountered a heavy sink rate of 1,000 feet per minute.