Primary finding
Probable cause
The student pilot’s improper application of the airbrakes during final approach, which resulted in a landing area undershoot and subsequent hard, bounced landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The solo student pilot reported that he was landing the glider after an uneventful flight. During final approach, instead of closing the airbrakes, the student opened them further. Realizing his mistake, he then closed them; however, the glider lost altitude. Subsequently, the glider landed hard short of the runway, which resulted in the nosewheel penetrating the cockpit, and then bounced and landed nose first. Subsequently, the pilot lost directional control, and the glider exited the runway and came to a stop upright. The glider’s fuselage was substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation.