What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
(-23) The 630-hour glider commercial pilot reported that prior to departure from the 4,200 feet by 400 feet wide grass turf Gliderport, he followed the checklist items which included, checking and closing the spoilers, checking the seat belts and shoulder harness. During the aero tow takeoff, the pilot noticed the uncommanded opening of the spoilers and he elected to release from the aero tow. During the landing on the grass runway, the glider touched down hard. The glider received minor damage to its landing gear and the pilot was seriously injured. The reason for the uncommanded extension of the spoilers could not be determined.
As the FAA filed it
(-23) THE 630-HOUR GLIDER COMMERCIAL PILOT REPORTED THAT PRIOR TO DEPARTURE FROM THE 4,200 FEET BY 400 FEET WIDE GRASS TURF GLIDERPORT, HE FOLLOWED THE CHECKLIST ITEMS WHICH INCLUDED, CHECKING AND CLOSING THE SPOILERS, CHECKING THE SEAT BELTS AND SHOULDER HARNESS. DURING THE AERO TOW TAKEOFF, THE PILOT NOTICED THE UNCOMMANDED OPENING OF THE SPOILERS AND HE ELECTED TO RELEASE FROM THE AERO TOW. DURING THE LANDING ON THE GRASS RUNWAY, THE GLIDER TOUCHED DOWN HARD. THE GLIDER RECEIVED MINOR DAMAGE TO ITS LANDING GEAR AND THE PILOT WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED. THE REASON FOR THE UNCOMMANDED EXTENSION OF THE SPOILERS COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.
NTSB investigation
The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.