LS4 strikes trees after airbrakes are deployed by mistake

An LS4 was substantially damaged in a forced landing into trees after its airbrakes were deployed by mistake just after release. Moving to retract the landing gear, the pilot almost certainly operated the airbrake lever instead, extending the airbrakes and collapsing the glide ratio. Reading the sudden sink as descending air, he pressed on near the airfield without checking the levers or the airbrakes on the wings. Unable to regain the runway, he flew low over houses; the glider struck the treetops, stopping on a property. Investigators judged a control confusion the most likely cause, with low currency on the type noted.

1. Release from aerotow: After an aerotow to a hill east of the airfield, the pilot released at about 850 m and spiralled left to search for lift.
2. Airbrakes deployed for the gear: Moving to retract the landing gear, he almost certainly operated the airbrake lever instead, extending the airbrakes.
3. Glide ratio collapsed: The extended airbrakes cut the glide ratio to about 3.5, and the glider sank at roughly 8 m/s.
4. Read as sinking air: He read the high sink as descending air and pressed on, without checking the levers or the airbrakes on the wings.
5. Could not regain the field: Unable to reach the runway, he flew low over houses toward a field beyond them.
6. Struck the treetops: The glider struck treetops in a residential area and came to rest on a property, substantially damaged; the pilot was unhurt.