What happened
On October 12, 2014, a pilot and flight instructor were conducting a flight review consisting of three planned flights. During the first flight, the pilot operated a Schweizer SGS 2-33A, registration N36135, performing maneuvers such as 90-degree steep turns behind a tow plane. After releasing from the tow, the pilot descended to 1,500 feet AGL.
As the glider approached the runway, the pilot executed a forward slip using full rudder and full spoilers. The pilot temporarily ceased the slip to clear trees located at the end of the runway, then resumed the slip with spoilers deployed. As the aircraft neared the ground, the pilot discontinued the slip. According to the flight instructor, the descent rate increased once the slip was ended. The pilot did not attempt to flare the aircraft, leading to a hard landing. The accident resulted in one serious injury and one minor injury, while there were no fatalities. The glider sustained only minor damage.
Findings
The flight instructor noted that an upslope on the runway might have created a visual illusion, making the pilot believe the aircraft was higher than its actual altitude. Additionally, the instructor stated he had become overly confident in the pilot's abilities and had let his guard down during the maneuver.