LS6 undershoots the runway after over-deploying its airbrakes

The pilot was seriously injured and the glider destroyed when an LS6 landed short after its airbrakes over-deployed on final. Arriving at an unfamiliar mountain airfield, the pilot flew a U-shaped approach and, too high, pulled full airbrakes and selected landing flaps. On this type the flap setting frees the airbrakes to extend fully; they bit harder than expected and the glider sank below the path. He retracted them but could not reach the runway; after clearing a stream, it dropped short of the threshold. Turbulent air, limited experience on type, and the demanding approach contributed; a seat cushion probably lessened his injuries.

1. Approach to an unfamiliar airfield: Arriving at a mountain airfield he had never landed at, the pilot joined the circuit to land.
2. Judged too high on a U-approach: Flying a U-shaped approach, he judged himself too high with too little descent and pulled full airbrakes.
3. Landing flaps freed full airbrakes: Selecting landing flaps let the coupled airbrakes extend fully, and they bit harder than expected.
4. Sank below the approach path: The glider dropped below the approach path; he retracted the airbrakes but could not regain the runway.
5. Stretched to clear a stream: He adjusted the attitude to clear a stream just short of the field.
6. Landed short and hard: The glider dropped onto the ground short of the threshold, bounced and slid to a stop; the pilot was seriously injured.