On 10/6/2012 11:59 AM, son_of_flubber wrote:
What are the G forces in unintentional aerobatic maneuvers... say flying
through extreme rotor?

Have there been cases of gliders losing their wings in rotor on their way
to mountain wave?


Happened a long time ago, but to a superbly maintained, "reasonably new"
Pratt-Read descending through rotor in the Jet Stream Project...estimated 20G
rotor-induced gust encountered (as I recall without verifying) "well below"
maneuvering speed...arguable whether the wings or wing carry-through structure
failed first.

Details can be found in old "Soaring" mags (article by the project-pilot/pilot
Larry Edgar), or the book "Exploring the Monster".

Regards,
Bob W.