What happened
On 19 November 2018, a JS1C 21 glider, registered ZS-GBK, was being towed from Gariep Dam Airfield (FAHV) in the Free State Province. The flight began at 0943Z, with a Cessna 182 acting as the tow aircraft. During the initial climb, the tow pilot noted mild turbulence while the aircraft proceeded northwest.
After completing one left orbit, the tow pilot released the glider at 1700 feet above ground level. The glider began a slow climb toward a ridge located north of the airfield. While maneuvering near the ridge, the aircraft performed a right turn that resulted in the right wing dropping. The glider subsequently stalled and entered a spin. The aircraft completed approximately half a rotation before impacting the terrain 1.3 nautical miles north of the airfield at high speed. The impact destroyed the aircraft and resulted in one fatality.