Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s loss of control on short final.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that during the local glider flight, he was unable to find sufficient lift to remain airborne. He selected a field that was within gliding distance and setup for landing. However, on short final, he became fixated on a small tree in the glide path. The airspeed decreased, and the glider entered an inadvertent aerodynamic stall. The subsequent impact with the terrain resulted in damage to the left wing spar and aft fuselage. The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures which precluded normal operation of the glider.