Morganton, NC, USA
N24WR
Schleicher ASW-24E
The pilot had not flown the glider in 2 years and after being towed aloft, elected to return because he was not flying well. The flight entered the traffic pattern too low and at too low an airspeed. While turning base to final, the glider stalled and the left wing contacted the ground.
The pilot stated that after being towed aloft, light winds and light lift existed. He elected to return because he was not flying well, and while turning base to final, the left wing contacted the ground. He further reported that the traffic pattern was entered too low, and the airspeed was not maintained. Additionally, he had not flown the glider in the previous 2 years, and his "Lack of recent flying time is the major factor resulting in poor decisions on landing resulting in major damage to the glider."
The failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed while turning base to final resulting in the left wing contacting the ground.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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