The pilot in the retractable landing gear-equipped airplane reported that during the approach he was distracted by people that were on the runway and believed he "neglected to lower the landing gear." During landing he thought that the airplane's propeller contacted the turf, and he aborted the landing. The airplane gained altitude and he made a right turn, but the airspeed did not increase like he felt that it should.

He recalled that rather than continue the flight over rising terrain, he extended the landing gear and landed in a field, but the airplane landed hard.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings.

The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation.