JS3 overruns after a high approach flown on overestimated wind

A Jonker JS3 overran the runway at La Motte-du-Caire; the pilot was unhurt and the glider heavily damaged. Expecting a 30 km/h wind and possible rotor that never came — the actual air was a weak valley breeze — the pilot deliberately flew high. On base the glider gained about 30 m; full airbrakes and flaps could not bring it back down, and the recommended dive to regain the glide path was not flown. After an aborted turn-back he diverted to the emergency parking area and then a field beyond, striking vegetation.

1. Return from local flight: After about 3 h 30 of local soaring, the pilot returned to the La Motte-du-Caire vélisurface and configured the JS3 for landing on the uphill north-facing runway (gear and flaps extended).
2. Intentionally high approach: The pilot believed there was a strong wind with possible rotors over the runway and deliberately flew a high approach; the actual wind was much weaker, with no rotors.
3. Wind information not cross-checked: The pilot did not request weather information over the radio, although he had done so in the past; an instructor had previously warned him against flying below the reference hill.
4. Limited recent local experience: 10 years visiting La Motte-du-Caire each summer, but only 6 flights here in 2023 + 3 in 2024 on the JS3, of which only 2 with north-facing landings.
5. Base-leg altitude gain: On entering base leg the airspeed increased from 120 to 155 km/h and the glider gained roughly 30 m of altitude, possibly from thermals, pilot inputs, or both.
6. Full drag deployed: Recognising he was too high and too fast, the pilot fully extended the airbrakes and flaps to position L, continuing the approach over the runway.
7. Aborted 180°, late diversion: At one-third of the runway, still 75 m high, the pilot briefly planned a 180° turn, then aimed for the emergency parking but judged it too close, overrunning into the field beyond.
8. Glide-path recovery not anticipated: The pilot did not attempt the published recovery for an over-high final, which called for a steep nose-down attitude with full airbrakes to rejoin the glide path.
9. Vegetation strike, ground impact: Still airborne past the emergency parking, the JS3 struck vegetation and impacted the ground about 40 m further; the glider was heavily damaged and the pilot uninjured.