Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's distraction due to the environment, his failure to lower the landing gear, and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control while landing the glider, which resulted in impact with a utility box.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that, due to the unimproved airport environment blending in with the surrounding environment, he was unable to identify the runway and decided to land the glider on a dirt road. While concentrating on landing, he failed to extend the landing gear. On short final, he noticed that the landing gear was not extended, and while changing hands to extend the landing gear, the glider drifted right of the dirt road. Upon landing on the dirt road, the glider veered right and impacted a utility box. The glider sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and canopy. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the glider that would have precluded normal operation.
Source record
Factual narrative
The glider pilot reported that, due to the unimproved airport blending in with the surrounding environment, he was unable to identify the runway and decided to land on a dirt road. While concentrating on landing, he failed to extend the landing gear. On short finial, he noticed that the landing gear was not extended and while changing hands to extend the landing gear, the glider drifted right of the dirt road. Upon landing on the dirt road, the glider veered right and impacted a utility box. The glider sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and canopy. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the glider that would have precluded normal operation.