What happened
On September 18, 2011, a KW1 glider, registration PT-PFH, was performing a local flight from the Rio Claro Aerodrome (SDRK) in São Paulo, Brazil. The aircraft was operated by Aeroclube de Rio Claro. After completing an initial 15-minute flight without incident, the pilot began a second flight.
During the approach to landing, the aircraft was observed flying at a low altitude and at a speed lower than the standard approach pattern. While executing a left turn to enter the base leg, the aircraft experienced a loss of lift and entered a descending spiral (spin) in a nose-down attitude. The glider struck the ground approximately 230 meters from the runway threshold of runway 21. The impact resulted in the destruction of the aircraft and one fatality.