Grob G103 TWIN ASTIR, Tucson Soaring Club Inc., N40880; accident occurred April 24, 2016 in Marana, Arizona -Kathryn's Report

TUCSON SOARING CLUB INC: http://registry.faa.gov/N40880

NTSB Identification: GAA16CA205
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, April 24, 2016 in Marana, AZ
Probable Cause Approval Date: 07/14/2016
Aircraft: BURKHART GROB FLUGZEUGBAU G103 TWIN ASTIR, registration: N40880
Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 Uninjured.

NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.

According to the pilot, while maneuvering the glider about 2,900 feet above ground level, the pilot determined that the wind conditions were not conducive to sustain flight and turned toward the runway in order to establish an approach. He recalled that while maneuvering toward the runway, he encountered downdrafts and began to lose altitude rapidly. He reported that he issued a mayday call about ¾ of a statute mile from the runway, established a nose up attitude to decrease the airspeed, and the glider impacted the trees. The glider sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. 

The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies with the glider prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The glider's loss of lift as a result of unfavorable wind conditions for glider operations, consequently resulting in a collision with trees.