Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear before landing and to use the Before Landing checklist.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot in the retractable-landing gear-equipped glider reported that, during flight, he could no longer find lift, so he selected a field for landing. During the approach, he did not use the Before Landing checklist, and he forgot to extend the landing gear. The glider landed on the lower fuselage and skidded across the grass surface before it collided with a barbed wire fence. The glider sustained substantial damage to the canopy, fuselage, and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot in the retractable landing gear-equipped glider, reported that during flight he could no longer find lift, and selected a field for landing. During the approach, he did not use the before landing checklist, and he forgot to extend his landing gear. The glider landed on the lower fuselage and skidded across the grass surface before it collided with a barbed wire fence. The glider sustained substantial damage to the canopy, the fuselage, and the rudder. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation.