Astir CS winch launch with left aileron unconnected after rigging

The student pilot of a Grob Astir CS was seriously injured in a winch-launch loss of control at Hilden-Kesselweier; aircraft destroyed. Shortly after lift-off the glider drifted left with no corrective input observed; the winch operator released the cable. From ~80 m AGL the glider entered a full left turn with increasing bank and struck the ground at >45° about 150 m from launch. Examination found all control connections impact-damaged except the left aileron's Hotellier quick-connect, which was open and undamaged with its safety lock correctly installed; the pre-flight rigging check missed the unmade connection.

1. Rigging and winch launch from RWY 06: A recently-qualified solo student rigged the Grob Astir CS with several helpers; the rigging was checked by an instructor. Around 12:00 LT the pilot started a winch launch from RWY 06 at Hilden-Kesselweier in light south-easterly wind (~150° at 8 kt), clear sky, OAT ~30°C.
2. Left aileron Hotellier coupling unmade: The Hotellier quick-connect for the left aileron had not been closed during rigging. The coupling's safety lock was correctly installed but on an open connector, providing no protection. The pre-flight inspection failed to detect the unmade connection.
3. Left drift; no corrective input observed: Shortly after lift-off the glider drifted left of the launch track. No corrective control inputs were observed from the ground — consistent with restricted left aileron roll authority.
4. Winch operator releases cable: Observing the unusual flight path, the winch operator terminated the launch and released the tow cable while the glider was still at low altitude.
5. Full left circle with increasing bank: From about 80 m AGL the glider began turning left with steadily increasing bank, completing roughly one full circle without recovery.
6. Impact at >45° bank ~150 m from launch: The Astir CS struck a field about 150 m from the launch point at greater than 45° bank, left wing first then nose; the left wing separated and the fuselage broke. The student pilot was seriously injured; aircraft destroyed.