Glider Collision with Trees During Ridge Soaring

Incident Overview A pilot was engaged in ridge-soaring in a glider near a mountain peak when gusty wind conditions caused the aircraft to be blown into trees. The glider sustained substantial damage to the airframe and wings. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the glider. He said that he was unfamiliar with the terrain and the wind gusts and down-drafts were higher than he anticipated. The source does not specify the aircraft type, registration, date, operator, location, or cause beyond the pilot's account of the wind conditions and terrain unfamiliarity. The incident involved a glider, a mountain peak, trees, and gusty wind conditions. The pilot was ridge-soaring, which is a technique used to gain altitude by flying near the updrafts created by wind hitting a ridge or mountain. The glider was blown into trees, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe and wings. The pilot reported no mechanical problems, indicating that the incident was likely due to external factors rather than a mechanical failure. The pilot's unfamiliarity with the terrain and the unexpected strength of the wind gusts and down-drafts were cited as contributing factors. The source does not provide further details on the pilot's injuries, the exact location, or the specific aircraft involved.