Apis-Bee stalls out of a third sideslip on a high first-flight approach

On the pilot's first flight on the type, an Apis-Bee stalled in the third of three sideslips on a high approach at Columbia and hit the runway nose down; the pilot was seriously injured and the glider substantially damaged. The pilot had landed off the first circuit with the engine up and idling, then stowed it on the downwind leg of the second. Turning base he found himself high and opened the airbrakes, then judged that the glider needed more help down and slipped it; he slipped twice more, and on the third the nose dropped.

1. First flight on the type: The pilot was flying the Apis-Bee for the first time. He completed one circuit and landed with the engine up and idling.
2. Engine stowed on the downwind leg: On the second circuit the pilot stowed the engine on the downwind leg, so the glider was flying as a sailplane from that point on.
3. High on the turn to base: Turning onto the base leg the pilot found the glider high on the approach, and opened the airbrakes.
4. Three sideslips to lose height: Judging that the glider needed more help down, the pilot put it into a sideslip, then slipped it twice more.
5. Nose drops on the third slip: On the third slip the nose dropped and the glider hit the runway nose down. The fuselage was substantially damaged and the pilot was seriously injured.