Incident Details
A glider pilot reported that during the landing roll, near the intended stopping point, he felt a "thump." He then observed a person lying on the ground on the runway. The pilot stated he had not seen the bystander before the collision.
According to the pilot-rated passenger, who also served as the airport manager, the bystander was taking photographs of the glider and had moved onto the runway surface during the landing roll. The bystander was struck by the left wing. The airport manager also reported that he did not see the bystander before the collision.
The airport had a sign near the runway that stated "Caution Aircraft Operations." After the accident, the airport manager installed cones delineating the boundary of the runway and added an additional sign stating "Remain Behind Cones."
The bystander sustained serious injury. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation.