20260705007609A

FACTS: ON JULY 5, 2026, THE PILOT ONBOARD SCHWEIZER SGS 2-33A, ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^, WAS TOWED UP TO ALTITUDE IN THE VICINITY OF SKYLARK FIELD (CA89). BASED ON WRITTEN ACCOUNT OF THE PILOT AND STATEMENTS FROM QUALIFIED GROUND CREW WITNESSES, THE PILOT ENTERED THE TRAFFIC PATTERN AT AN ALTITUDE ABOVE THE FLYING CLUB'S STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES AND REMAINED HIGHER THAN NORMAL THROUGHOUT THE REMAINDER OF THE PATTERN. THE PILOT FAILED TO MANAGE EXCESSIVE ENERGY UTILIZING BRAKES/SPOILERS, AS WELL AS UTILIZING IMPROPER SLIPPING TECHNIQUES, RESULTING IN ENERGY BEING CARRIED INTO THE LANDING/TOUCHDOWN PHASE OF FLIGHT IN EXCESS OF WHAT IS PRESCRIBED BY NORMAL OPERATING PROCEDURES. THE PILOT, DESTABILIZED THROUGHOUT THE APPROACH AND MISALIGNED WITH THE RUNWAY CENTERLINE, TOUCHED DOWN BEYOND THE NORMAL AIMING POINT, RESESULTING IN A LANDING ROLL THAT REQUIRED MORE RUNWAY SURFACE THAN WHAT WAS AVAILABLE BOTH LATERALLY AND LONGITUDINALLY. DURING THE LANDING ROLL OFF-RUNWAY EXCURSION, THE AIRCRAFT WING LOWERED INTO THE GROUND AND CONTACTED A PEDESTRIAN / GROUND CREW MEMBER STANDING IN A DESIGNATED GLIDER STAGING AREA, RESULTING IN A SERIOUS INJURY TO THE LEG BELOW THE KNEE THAT REQUIRED EMERGENCY RESPONSE FROM PARAMEDICS AND HOSPITALIZATION. THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE; NO FATALITIES; THE PILOT REPORTED NO INJURIES.