Incident Overview
A glider, after being released from its towplane at an altitude of approximately 11,200 feet above mean sea level (msl), entered an area of lift that carried it to 14,500 feet msl. The pilot continued westward, alternating between areas of lift and sink. Eventually, the pilot was unable to locate lift again, and the descent rate increased to over 1,000 feet per minute (fpm).
Instructor Intervention
The flight instructor on board assumed control of the glider and turned back eastward, hoping to return to the lift encountered earlier. However, the anticipated lift did not materialize, and the glider experienced sink rates as high as 1,600 fpm. The instructor identified a field suitable for landing and maneuvered the glider to align with it while avoiding nearby houses, with the sink rate persisting at about 1,000 fpm.
Landing and Contact
During the approach, the left wing contacted a powerline, causing the glider to spin 180 degrees before coming to rest approximately 200 feet short of the intended landing area. The glider sustained substantial damage to its wings and fuselage. No information was provided regarding injuries or the specific type of glider involved.