Probable cause
The student pilot's inadequate compensation for landing area conditions during an off-airport landing which resulted in a collision with an obstruction.
NTSB analysis
The student pilot reported his glider was about one mile from his destination airport and thought he had enough altitude to make the field, but then he encountered a sink rate. He realized that he would not be able to clear power lines at the edge of the runway so the student pilot decided to make an off field landing in a large open field bordered by several obstructions. During the landing the right wing struck a small tree when the glider was still several feet above ground. The glider landed abruptly and the impact resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. The student pilot added that the accident could have been prevented if he had earlier recognized the need to land out and if he had prepared for the event at a higher altitude.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN13CA573 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 2, 2013
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Hampshire, Illinois
- Nearest airport
- Sky Soaring (55LL)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Schweizer SGS 2 33A
- N-number
- N2668H
- Category
- Glider
- Year built
- 1976
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.