Primary finding
Probable cause
The glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight, which resulted in the pilot landing short of the intended runway.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot of a nonpowered glider reported that, while on the downwind for landing, the glider was higher than normal due to lift that was encountered. He added that, while on final approach, the glider encountered a gusting headwind, which reduced the ground speed. The glider was unable to maintain sufficient altitude and touched down short of the intended runway. The fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system located 9 miles east of the accident airport reported that, about 2 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 260° at 14 knots, gusting to 23 knots. 27U was the intended runway.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot of a non-powered glider reported that while on the downwind for landing, the glider was higher than normal due to lift that was encountered. He added that while on final approach, the glider encountered a gusting headwind, which reduced the ground speed. The glider was unable to maintain sufficient altitude, and touched down short of the intended runway. The fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system located 9 miles east of the accident airport reported, about 2 minutes before the accident, that the wind was from 260° at 14 knots, gusting to 23 knots. 27U was the intended runway.