Flight Details
The pilot of a motor glider departed on a local flight. After crossing a ridge line into a valley at an altitude of approximately 8,000 ft mean sea level, the pilot glided southward in search of lift but was unsuccessful. He decided to land on a brown, flat field that appeared to be recently tilled.
Landing Attempt
The pilot set up for a landing and then deployed the glider's sustainer engine. The engine did not start, so the pilot continued his approach to land. During the landing, the right wing struck the ground, causing the glider to ground loop. The glider was substantially damaged.
The flight manual for the sustainer engine advised that the engine should only be extended and started when suitable terrain for landing was within gliding distance, and that starting attempts below 984 ft above ground level were to be avoided "so as to have a safe height left for planning the approach pattern should the engine fail to run!"
Aftermath
The pilot stated that there was no mechanical malfunction or failure with the glider, and that he would recommend trying to start the sustainer engine at a higher altitude.