Waller, TX, USA
N921M
SCHLEICHER ASW-20B
The glider was being air towed by an airplane. The glider pilot reported that, the takeoff roll and liftoff were normal, but halfway down the runway, he heard an “unfamiliar wind noise in the cockpit.” He lost sight of the tow airplane and pulled his tow release handle. The pilot attempted to land straight ahead but was unsuccessful in deploying the airbrakes. Subsequently, he turned right to land between a hanger and trees. During the forced landing in a grass field, the empennage section sustained substantial damage. The glider pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation.
The pilot’s failure to maintain the proper descent rate during an off-airport landing.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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