Accident Details
A glider conducting a biennial flight review with a flight instructor and a pilot under evaluation sustained substantial damage after impacting trees, a berm, and a guard rail. The accident occurred during the third flight of the session, with the trainee at the controls. According to the CFI, as the glider neared the end of a turf runway at approximately 500 feet above ground level and 2,000 feet from the runway threshold, the airspeed was slightly slow. The instructor moved the flight controls forward and advised the pilot to increase airspeed due to a strong headwind.
Pilot and Instructor Accounts
The pilot under evaluation reported that airspeed varied by 15 mph during the approach and the glider was descending rapidly. He stated that he relinquished control to the instructor. However, the flight instructor said he did not take control, judging that the glider, while abnormally low, remained within a safe margin to land. At about 200 feet above ground level, the glider encountered a downdraft lasting approximately four seconds. When the glider reached 75 feet above the ground, it banked sharply to the right, leading to impact with trees, a berm, and a guard rail, causing substantial damage to the fuselage and empennage. The instructor stated he never doubted the pilot was in control, while the trainee asserted the instructor had taken control after the rapid descent began. Both pilots reported no preexisting mechanical anomalies with the glider.
Weather Conditions
Winds reported at an airport 10 miles southeast of the accident location were from 220 degrees at 14 knots, gusting to 21 knots.