LS 6A separates from towplane after takeoff, crashes in outlanding

After a separation from its towplane shortly after aerotow takeoff from Thun, the pilot of an LS 6A was seriously injured in a forced outlanding and the glider destroyed. The Piper PA-18-180M towplane returned safely to Thun. The cause of the separation is under investigation; the tow rope was found intact on the ground below the path of the tow combination. The glider pilot was forced to outland in a cornfield near Uetendorf and crashed.

1. Aerotow takeoff from Thun: LS 6A on aerotow behind a Piper PA-18-180M for a local VFR flight from Thun (LSZW). The LS 6A was fitted with a CG (Schwerpunkt) hook; the PA-18-180M was fitted with a Farner tow hook.
2. Tow separation, cause unknown: Shortly after takeoff, for reasons still under investigation, the glider and towplane became unintentionally separated while on tow.
3. Tow rope found intact on ground: The tow rope was recovered intact on the ground below the path of the tow combination, consistent with a hook release rather than a rope failure.
4. Forced outlanding decision: After the low-altitude separation, the glider pilot committed to an outlanding in a cornfield near Uetendorf rather than an attempt to return to Thun.
5. Crash - serious injury: The LS 6A crashed during the outlanding in the cornfield. The pilot was seriously injured and the glider was destroyed. The PA-18-180M returned to Thun without damage.