Incident Overview
According to the pilot, the glider's aero tow to 3,000 feet included some areas of turbulence but was otherwise uneventful. The subsequent flight remained smooth until the descent to about 1,200 feet above ground level, when conditions became "bumpy."
Approach and Descent
Upon entering the traffic pattern for runway 24, the pilot increased the normal approach airspeed by 10 knots in anticipation of gusty headwinds on final approach. The approach proceeded normally until short final, when the glider encountered a "rogue" wind gust that "violently" rolled it about 90 degrees to the right, directing it away from the runway centerline.
Emergency Landing
By the time the pilot was able to level the wings, the glider was too low to reach the runway, necessitating an off-airport landing into small trees. The landing resulted in damage to the left wing spar.
Weather Conditions
Winds recorded at a nearby airport around the time of the accident were from 260 degrees true at 13 knots, gusting to 19 knots.
Mechanical Status
The pilot did not report any preexisting mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.