NYC00LA251

Prior to takeoff the glider pilot observed 'dark clouds' to the west of the airport. Additionally, the tow plane pilot pointed to the clouds prior to takeoff. The glider pilot 'did not feel that the clouds were moving all that fast,' and elected to depart. The glider was towed to an altitude of 2,500 feet and released. About 1 minute later, the glider pilot noticed that it was 'suddenly much darker, and the clouds had quickly moved over the airport west to east.' He also began to experience some light rain, and intended to return to the airport for landing. The pilot stated that while entering the traffic pattern for landing, 'the rain got so heavy that I had no visibility forward.' While on final approach for landing, the glider began to impact trees. The glider veered to the left and pitched down towards the ground. The glider came to rest in the trees, about 300 feet from the runway threshold. The pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the glider. The pilot reported 34 hours of total flight experience, all in gliders.

On September 4, 2000, about 1225 Eastern Daylight Time, a Let Blanik L-13 glider, N48037, was substantially damaged while landing at the Wurtsboro-Sullivan County Airport (N82) Wurtsboro, New York. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

In a written statement, the pilot said that prior to takeoff he observed "dark clouds" to the west of the airport. Additionally, the tow plane pilot pointed to the clouds prior to takeoff. The pilot acknowledged the tow plane pilot; however, he "did not feel that the clouds were moving all that fast," and elected to continue the flight. The glider was towed to an altitude of 2,500 feet and released. About 1 minute later, the pilot noticed that it was "suddenly much darker, and the clouds had quickly moved over the airport from west to east." He observed some light rain, and intended to return to the airport for landing. While entering the left downwind leg for Runway 23, the rain "got so heavy that I had no visibility forward." The glider was 350 feet above ground level, and pilot elected to make a left turn, and land on Runway 25. Shortly thereafter, the glider began to impact trees. It then veered to the left and pitched down towards the ground. The glider came to rest in the trees, about 300 feet from the runway threshold.

The pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the glider.

The pilot received his private pilot glider rating on May 20, 2000. The pilot reported 34 hours of total flight experience, all in gliders. The accident flight was the pilot's first solo flight in the make and model of the accident glider.

The weather reported at an airport about 10 miles east-southeast of the accident airport, at 1219 was: Wind from 20 degrees at 5 knots; Visibility 10 miles, Few Clouds at 2,100 feet, Scattered Clouds at 2,800 and 3,500 feet, Temperature 79 Dewpoint 70 degrees F; Altimeter 29.81 in/hg.