Glider Collision with Trees During Landing Approach

Incident Overview and Sequence of Events During the incident, the glider pilot was on a right downwind approach and subsequently turned right base, then to final to land north at the airport. While on final approach, the pilot observed a tow plane on the runway taking off southbound. In response to this observation, the pilot elected to make an abrupt right 360-degree turn at approximately 80 feet above ground level. This maneuver resulted in the glider contacting trees. ## Damage and Injuries The glider was destroyed in the collision. The pilot sustained serious non-life-threatening injuries.