Incident Overview
A glider accident occurred when a student pilot, who had completed five dual instructional flights earlier that day, was cleared for a solo flight by a certified flight instructor (CFI). The glider was towed aloft by a tow airplane, and both the takeoff and tow proceeded normally. The student released the glider at 2,000 feet above ground level (agl).
Sequence of Events
After release, the student deployed the airbrakes to descend to the traffic pattern altitude of 1,000 feet agl. However, upon reaching that altitude, the student forgot to close the airbrakes. As a result, the glider continued to descend rapidly. The student maintained a 45-degree entry to the downwind leg of the runway. The glider subsequently impacted Joshua trees approximately 500 feet short of the airport.
Damage and Findings
The impact substantially damaged the glider's wings, fuselage, and right horizontal stabilizer drag spar. When the CFI arrived at the scene, the airbrakes were observed in the open position. No mechanical failure or malfunction of the glider was reported in connection with the accident.