NTSB Factual Report

According to the accident report form submitted by the flight instructor, the student had lined the glider up for landing, and a prelanding assessment indicated that the winds were calm. The purpose of the flight was to practice slips to a landing with no spoilers. While on short final, the slip was reduced to maintain the glide path, at which time, the glider encountered a sink rate. The student maintained the glide path; however, while in the flare over a fence, the left wing impacted a fence pole, resulting in substantial damage to the glider. The flight instructor stated that there was nothing mechanically wrong with the glider prior to the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The in flight loss of lift while landing, resulting in a collision with a fence.