PIK-20D strikes a ridge after turning towards birds circling in a thermal

The pilot of a PIK-20D was lightly injured, and the glider substantially damaged, when it struck a mountain ridge near Benton after he turned to join birds circling in a thermal. About 45 minutes into the flight, on what he described as a good ridge day, he saw the two birds working a thermal and turned the same way, which took the glider towards the ridge. It was carried out of the thermal into sinking air and hit the slope, damaging both wings and the fuselage.

1. Ridge soaring from Chilhowee: The pilot was about 45 minutes into a local flight on what he described as a good ridge day.
2. Turns towards birds in a thermal: He saw two large birds circling in a thermal and turned the same way to join it, which pointed the glider at the mountain ridge.
3. Carried out of the thermal into sink: The glider was carried out of the thermal and into an area of sinking air.
4. Strikes the ridge: It struck the ridge, substantially damaging both wings and the fuselage. The pilot was lightly injured.