SGS 2-33A solo student impacts ground during base-to-final turn
A Schweizer SGS 2-33A on a solo pattern flight at Bult Field (C56) in Monee (Illinois) impacted the ground in the base-to-final turn; the student egressed uninjured and the fuselage and right wing were substantially damaged. The student flew downwind a little low and turned base early to compensate, leaving the pattern short on energy. Task-saturated on base, the student could not preserve both altitude and airspeed in the final turn; the glider settled onto a flat grass field under control. NTSB cited inability to maintain energy in the final turn, with low experience contributing.
- Pattern downwind: The solo student pilot was flying the downwind leg of the landing pattern at Bult Field (C56).
- Very low experience: 15-year-old student pilot with 8 hours total time, flying solo.
- Lower than usual on downwind: The pilot noted she was a bit lower than usual on downwind, which set up the energy-deficient approach that followed.
- Early base turn: To compensate for being low, the pilot turned onto base earlier than normal.
- Task saturation: On the base leg the pilot reported feeling task saturated, with an unclear recollection of events — cognitive overload as the workload built on top of being low.
- Energy short, settles into ground: In the base-to-final turn the energy deficit from the low downwind and early base correction left no margin to keep both altitude and airspeed; the glider continued to descend under control and contacted the grass field upright. The NTSB cites the student's failure to maintain airspeed and altitude in the turn as probable cause.
- Substantial damage, no injury: The glider came to rest upright on a flat grass field with substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing; the pilot egressed unaided and was uninjured.