K 7 circles past pattern position in headwind, outlands on sports field

A Schleicher K 7 outlanded on a sports field inside Detmold (Germany); both occupants were uninjured and the glider was destroyed. After a winch launch from EDLJ the pilot released at about 460 m AGL. Past the abeam point the pilot flew a full left circle in the pattern, lost about 100 m, and ended up roughly 1,200 m short of the field. The downwind approach over 25 m trees in a 100-110 degree wind at 15-20 kt left no room to slow, so the pilot sideslipped and steered between two trees to absorb energy, shearing off the wings. The report identified the in-pattern 360 as the start of the unsafe sequence.

1. Pattern flight after winch launch: A Schleicher K 7 winch-launched from Detmold at 17:14 with pilot and passenger for a sightseeing flight, releasing at about 460 m AGL after a normal launch.
2. Full circle past abeam in pattern: Past the abeam position, where the final-approach turn should have begun, the pilot flew a full left circle in the pattern at about 180 m above airfield level.
3. Airfield unreachable after circle: The circle cost about 100 m and left the K 7 roughly 1,200 m short of the airfield; with headwind and built-up terrain in between, returning was no longer feasible.
4. Outland on city green space: The pilot chose a sports-field-sized green space in eastern Detmold as the only open area free of people; it measured about 140 m diagonally, ringed by buildings and trees up to 25 m tall.
5. Downwind approach over tall trees: The pilot flew a shortened right pattern and approached from the east with a tailwind, crossing 25 m trees on the upwind boundary of the field; the landing was effectively downwind.
6. Too fast; sideslip + tree-between: After crossing the trees the pilot could not slow to landing speed and sideslipped to lose altitude, then steered between two trees about 10 m apart to dissipate energy.
7. Wings sheared; K 7 destroyed: Both wings sheared off on contact with the trees and the K 7 stopped abruptly, fuselage upright against a low wall; the flight lasted about 5 minutes and both occupants were uninjured.