SGS 2-33A drifts off the centreline in a tailwind landing from a practice rope break

An instructor and student practising a tow-rope failure were lightly injured, and their SGS 2-33A substantially damaged, when the glider drifted right of the runway centreline on the landing that followed and the right wing struck a tree just before touchdown at Zebulon. The instructor flew that approach with a light quartering tailwind and did not take the drift out before the glider came down. The right wing and the canopy took the damage. The recorded cause was the instructor's failure to hold directional control in the tailwind.

1. Rope-break practice on a school flight: An instructor and a student were practising a tow-rope failure. After the simulated break they set up to land back on the grass strip.
2. Light quartering tailwind: The crew landed with a light quartering tailwind.
3. Glider drifts right of the centreline: On final approach the glider moved right of the runway centreline.
4. Drift still there at touchdown: The instructor did not take out the lateral offset over the last of the approach.
5. Right wing strikes a tree: Just before touchdown the right wing hit a tree. The right wing and the canopy were substantially damaged and both occupants were lightly injured.