20001111023439A

(-23) The student pilot was on a supervised solo glider flight in the local flying area. After approx. one hour of flight the pilot was returning to the initial approach point near the airport in preparation for landing. The student misread the altimeter and thought that he was 1000 feet higher than he actually was. He started circling near the initial approach point to lose altitude, then realized that he was in fact getting too low. He attempted to stretch his glide to the glider port, but impacted a tree short of the airport property. During the course of his training, the student's instructor emphasized the importance of being at the initial landing point at sufficient altitude to glide to the airport. The student also was instructed on various alternate landing fields that were available in the event that the pilot could not reach the glider port. The student misread the altimeter and therefore was 1000 feet lower than he should have been at the start of the approach. Also, he elected not to use the off-airport landing areas that were pointed out to him during his training. He was certain that he could glide to the airport property. The student pilot will be receiving additional dual training before further solo flight. (.4) on November 11, 2000, about 1515 hours pacific standard time, a Schweizer sgs 1-36, N3621R, operated by the lake elsinore soaring club, lake elsinore, California, collided with trees approaching the Skylark field in lake elsinore. The glider was substantially damaged, and the student pilot was seriously injured. The flight was performed under 14 CFR part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan was filed for the student pilot's solo instructional flight, which originated from the airstrip about 1358. According to the student's flight instructor, on September 23, 2000, he had authorized his student to solo the glider in the local area. Regarding the accident flight, after about 1 hour the student planned to return for landing at the airstrip. Approaching the field, the student misread his altimeter and initiated a circle to lose altitude. Midway through the turn the student realized his error, noted that he was low, and headed directly back toward the airstrip. The glider continued to lose lift, and the student did not initiate emergency procedures to make an off-site landing in nea rby available fields. The flight instructor further stated that while attempting to stretch the glide, the glider stalled and collided with tree branches. Thereafter, it impacted the ground hard about 1/2 mile from the airstrip. The glider came to rest in the front yard of a trailer park. The student pilot elaborated by reporting that he believed the accident was caused by his error in checking the altimeter and misreading it by 800 to 1,000 feet.