Introduction
A student pilot flying a Schweizer SGS 2-33A glider was conducting her first solo flight. The glider was released from the tow plane at approximately 3,000 feet mean sea level.
Accident Sequence
After release, the pilot reported that she misread her altimeter and subsequently descended below traffic pattern altitude. Witnesses observed the glider appearing "very low" on the base leg. The pilot then overflew the runway approach path and executed a turn described as "too sharply" to align with the runway centerline. Following this maneuver, the glider "fell out of the sky," according to witnesses.
Aftermath
The glider overflew the runway and struck a hangar wall, a tent support post, and came to rest on top of two ground support vehicles. The pilot reported that there were no deficiencies with the performance and handling of the glider during the flight.