The glider impacted terrain at about 1530 Pacific time. The solo commercial pilot received fatal injuries; the glider sustained substantial damage. Visual conditions prevailed.
According to witnesses, just prior to the accident sequence, the glider was seen in a steep left turn about 500 to 600 feet agl. It then suddenly entered a steep climb, while still remaining in a steep left turn. During the climb, the pilot either bailed out of the glider, or was ejected from it. The glider then made an uncontrolled descent into the terrain. Although the pilot was wearing a parachute, its ripcord was not pulled, and the parachute did not open.
