ASK 13 lands in the treetops after sinking below the approach path

The glider was substantially damaged, though the pilot was unhurt, when it sank below the approach path on final and had to be put down on the treetops short of the runway. On a solo local flight, the low-time pilot rejoined the circuit for the downhill runway 30 and flew a wide base to let a stranded glider clear the strip. He did not fully allow for the sink a north-west wind produced on final, and ended up below the approach path. Judging he could not reach the runway safely, he landed straight ahead on the treetops rather than risk a stall turning in, flaring just before contact. His low experience of the field in strong wind was noted.

1. Circuit for the downhill runway 30: On a solo local flight the pilot soared for about half an hour, then rejoined the circuit for the downhill runway 30 in a north-west wind.
2. Wide base to clear the strip: He flew a wide base leg to let a glider stranded on runway 30 clear the strip, on a runway he was not used to landing on.
3. Sink under a north-west wind: In the north-west wind, sink on final for runway 30 was greater than he had allowed for, and the glider went below the approach path.
4. Below the approach path on final: On the last turn to final the glider was below the approach path, too low to reach the runway safely.
5. Chose to land ahead in trees: Rather than risk a stall turning in toward the runway, the pilot decided to land straight ahead on the treetops below the field.
6. Landed on the treetops: He flared just before contact to reduce the impact; the glider landed on the treetops, substantially damaged, the pilot unhurt.