LS 1-c pilot releases stick to lock canopy on aerotow, hits runway

An LS 1-c was substantially damaged at Saanen (Switzerland) during an aerotow takeoff; the pilot was uninjured. He held 2,212 hours total including 1,424 on type, with about 53 hours flown in the prior 90 days. During the ground roll on aerotow he let go of the controls to lock the canopy, which had not been latched before takeoff. With no one on the stick the glider struck the runway and the fuselage was substantially damaged. The unlatched canopy and the decision to release the controls in mid-roll to deal with it sat at the centre of the sequence.

1. Aerotow ground roll ~12:30 LT: At about 12:30 on 15 July 2014 the pilot began an aerotow takeoff in an LS 1-c at Flugfeld Saanen.
2. Canopy unlocked at start: The canopy had not been latched before takeoff began. Normally the pilot would have stopped to re-latch it on the ground, but the situation instead developed during the roll.
3. Pilot releases stick to lock canopy: During the ground roll the pilot let go of the flight controls to latch the canopy, leaving the glider's attitude on the ground uncontrolled.
4. Glider hits runway: Unattended on the controls during the ground roll, the LS 1-c struck the runway surface.
5. Substantial fuselage damage: The fuselage of the LS 1-c was substantially damaged in the impact. The pilot was uninjured.