DG 500 Elan nose hook releases rope on aerotow, pilot turn-back into trees

The front pilot of a DG 500 Elan was fatally injured and the rear occupant seriously injured when the glider struck treetops after the nose hook released the tow rope without command at low altitude on aerotow from Laufenselden; aircraft destroyed. After lift-off from RWY 06 the nose hook released the rope at ~45 m AGL over a forest gap. Witnesses saw the glider turn left with increased AoA rather than continuing straight ahead; in the low turn it contacted treetops and fell into 25-30 m woodland. The cause of the uncommanded release was undetermined.

1. Aerotow takeoff from RWY 06: A DG 500 Elan two-seater began an aerotow departure from RWY 06 at Laufenselden behind a tug, lifting off about mid-field using its nose hook for the tow.
2. Nose hook releases rope at ~45 m AGL: At about 45 m AGL, climbing over a forest gap, the nose hook released the towrope without command, separating the glider from the tug for reasons never conclusively identified.
3. Pilot turns left, not straight ahead: After the release, witnesses saw the glider turn left at an increased angle of attack; standard practice at that height called for landing ahead, and the turn removed the energy margin.
4. Treetop contact in low-altitude turn: In the low-altitude left turn the glider contacted the tops of trees at the edge of the forest, losing further energy and controllability.
5. Fall into woodland; 1 fatal + 1 SI: The glider fell into 25-30 m high woodland near the airfield and was destroyed. The front-seat pilot was fatally injured; the rear-seat occupant was seriously injured.