Event GAA20CA073

Factual narrative

The glider pilot reported that he was unable to find thermals, so he decided to return to the glider port. During the approach, the glider was lower than he initially planned and decided to cut the approach short by crossing directly to the runway, then turn for landing. During the turn, the glider struck trees and impacted terrain. The glider sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located on an airport, about 9 nm away, reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was 190° at 8 knots. The pilot reported the wind was 130°, light and variable. The pilot attempted to land runway 09. The pilot reported that he was unable to find thermals, so he decided to return to the glider port. During the approach, the glider was lower than he initially planned, so he decided to cut the approach short by crossing directly to the runway and then turn for landing. During the turn, the glider struck trees and impacted terrain. The glider sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).

• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Descent/approach/glide path-Not attained/maintained - C
• C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Tree(s)-Effect on operation - C