19970828037909A

Cross country soaring flight. Overtaken by weather. Lost thermals. Stalled on precautionary landing approach. (.19) on August 28, 1997, about 1538 eastern daylight time, a schleicher ASW-19B, N19LK, was substantially damaged as it impacted the ground while attempting an off airport landing near Troy, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot received minor injuries. The glider was owned and operated by the harris hills soaring corporation, beaver dams, new york. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the competitive cross-country flight conducted under 14 CFR part 91. During a telephone interview with the pilot, he stated that he was towed airborne, approx. 1400, to participate in a region three soaring competition, which was scheduled to start at 1415. The pilot stated that the competition was started with a normal call over the radio. He headed southwest towards the first turn point, 26 miles away. Once there, he turned east towards the second turn point. Approx. halfway to the turn point, the pilot stated that he was over taken by the weather. He then began losing "lifting action", and decided to make an off field landing. WI th strong northerly winds, the pilot picked a field to land, and started his normal landing pattern. At 500 to 600 feet above the ground level, flying downwind and about to turn base leg, the pilot spotted a creek that ran diagonally across the field, and was able to discern the up slope grade to the field. Turning final, the pilot stated that he was concerned about the creek and the up slope, and lost track of airspeed. On final approach, the nose of the plane dropped, and the pilot pulled on the control stick just prior to hitting the ground. The plane impacted on the left wing and nose, bounced, and came to rest in the creek after turning 180 degrees. The 17 year old pilot, who had 150 hours in gliders and 30 hours in powered airplanes, was briefed on the local weather prior to his tow. Asked about canceling his flight once airborne, he stated that he was taught it was unsportsman like to talk on the radios during competition. The pilot thought it was the responsibility of either the competition director and manager, and/or the task committee to make go/no-go decision. (.4) the soaring competition began after 3 days of delay due to weather,. The pilot headed southwest to wards the first turn point 26 miles away. Once there, he turned east towards the second turn point. About half way to the second turn point, the pilot started losing 'lifting action'. After searching for about a mile and getting low in altitude, the pilot attempted an off field landing. With the wind from the north, the pilot chose a field aligned with the wind. He entered the pattern for an off field landing, during the turn to base leg, he noticed a creek running diagonally across his chosen field and that the up slope to the field was steeper than he expected. With these distractions, the pilot lost track of his airspeed and the glider stalled during the turn from base leg to final. The glider impacted the terrain on the left wing and nose, bounced, and came to rest in the creek in an upright attitude.