Accident Overview
A glider pilot, on an intended recreational “out & return” flight, was seriously injured when the aircraft impacted trees and came to rest inverted. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical problems with the glider. The accident occurred after the pilot was unable to gain altitude to cross a five-mile gap between ridges.
Pilot Actions
According to the pilot's statement, the plan was to climb via thermals to cross the gap, but he was unable to gain sufficient altitude. He then attempted to turn toward a “spur” that was separate from the main ridge in hopes of finding lift, but during these maneuvers, the glider continued to lose altitude in what the pilot described as “sinking air.” The glider subsequently struck trees and came to rest upside down. In retrospect, the pilot noted that he should have released the 10 gallons of water ballast in each wing and deployed positive flaps.
Weather Conditions
A weather observation taken approximately at the time of the accident, from a location 35 miles away, recorded the wind from 290 degrees at 13 knots with gusts to 20 knots. No other weather information was reported in relation to the accident.