Incident Overview
A glider pilot was conducting a flight with the intention of simulating a rope-break emergency during the initial climb. After being towed to about 300 feet above ground level, the pilot released from the tow and planned to return to the airport, landing on the departure runway in the opposite direction.
Flight Path and Conditions
Following departure from runway 27, the pilot executed a 270-degree turn to the right on the north side of the runway. This left a 90-degree left base-to-final turn to align with the runway. While still on the base leg, the glider encountered an 11-knot wind from the south, gusting to 18 knots.
Loss of Control and Impact
The pilot reported that he must have encountered wind shear, as he "lost all elevator control" and subsequently impacted terrain.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident examination of the flight control system revealed no anomalies. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation.