From the NTSB report:

"On September 19, 2003, at 1503 Pacific daylight time, a Schempp-Hirth Standard
Cirrus glider, N71DA, collided with an electric transmission guy wire about 1.6
miles east of the Lone Pine Airport, Lone Pine, California. The glider was
owned by the pilot and operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The
private pilot received fatal injuries, and the glider was substantially
damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had
been filed. The local area personal flight originated about 1440 from Lone Pine
Airport via a tow plane.

The tow plane pilot reported that he observed a spoiler or spoilers during the
initial tow. The tow pilot alerted the pilot by radio by stating "spoilers
spoilers" glider on tow, with no response. The tow pilot gave the glider pilot
a rudder wag as an additional signal that the spoilers were deployed rather
than being stowed. Subsequently, the glider pilot stated on radio that he had a
spoiler problem.

The glider pilot released from the tow about 3,400 feet above ground level, and
3.5 miles east of the airport. The tow pilot stated on the radio that he would
take the dirt runway, allowing the glider to land on the paved surface.

Post accident examination of the glider revealed that the spoilers had not been
connected prior to flight."

No mention if a PCC was done, and if so, why the disconnect wasn't noticed.
Also it is not clear how the glider lost over 3000 feet traveling only 2 miles
(3:1 glide ratio) even with spoilers fully deployed. Hopefully someone can
tell us more so we can all learn.

Ramy

The description I have heard is slightly different.
During takeoff in a standard Cirrus, one spoiler deployed then
shortly the other. (No report on weather either spoiler was
found connected during post crash insp). During the tow the tow
pilot was wagging his rudder and attempting to contact the glider
by radio with no response (although the glider and tow plane had
communicated prior to takeoff). When the tow plane initiated a
turn back toward the airport, the glider pilot released (altitude
at that time unreported). After the glider released he was heard
on the radio stating that he had a spoiler problem. As reported
the gliders wing tip struck a smaller lightning cable at the top
of high tension poles and impacted below.

It would be reasonable to assume that any of the following could
have provided the the opportunity to break the chain of events
that led to this accident.

1 the spoilers were not connected properly during assembly
2 if a positive control check was done, spoilers were missed
3 during pre takeoff check, apparently spoilers were not visually
checked for full deployment travel and locking
4 the glider released during tow prior to being brought back over
the runway with plenty of altitude for dealing with the problem.

Our condolances go out to the family. And we mean no disrespect
by attempting to understand and hopefully prevent similar accidents
in the future.

Soarin