Standard Cirrus ground-loops as a wing catches tall grass in an outlanding

During a competition cross-country over the mountains of southern Poland, the pilot of a Standard Cirrus was uninjured when, outlanding in a tall-grass meadow near Rajcza, the glider caught a wing and swung round about 180°; it was substantially damaged. Unable to climb high enough to cross the mountains, the pilot looked for a field only after exhausting nearby climbs. Most valley fields were short, fenced or under power lines, and a first choice proved split by a fence. The approach to the second, over houses and trees, was flown with full airbrakes at up to 144 km/h and 11 m/s sink; at about 15 m the pilot slowed to 89 km/h.

1. Competition task, day 2: An aerotow from Frýdlant nad Ostravicí at 11:33 for a 303 km competition task over three countries. The pilot set off on task at 12:17 with the main group.
2. No climb to cross the mountains: Past the first turnpoint the pilot headed north-east over mountainous Poland from about 1,900 m MSL toward sunlit slopes, but found no climb high enough to cross the area.
3. Field search left to the valley: The pilot turned to a field search only after exhausting nearby climbs. The valley fields were short, fenced or under power lines; a first meadow, seen from about 500 m above, proved split by a fence.
4. Tall-grass meadow over trees: The pilot chose a 250 m meadow with tall grass on a gentle slope, approached over houses and tall trees, and flew fast to keep a margin against a sudden gust.
5. Full airbrakes at up to 144 km/h: Below 100 m AGL the glider reached 138–144 km/h and 11 m/s sink with full airbrakes; at about 15 m the pilot slowed to 89 km/h. The manual gives 80 km/h for the approach.
6. Wing catches grass, 180° swing: On touchdown in the tall grass a wing caught, and the glider swung about 180° and slid backwards. A wing trailing edge, both ailerons and the centre section were damaged; the pilot was unhurt.