ASK 13 loses control after the canopy opens on aerotow

The student pilot was seriously injured and the glider destroyed after the canopy flew open just after take-off and control was lost. On a solo instructional aerotow, the canopy opened abruptly about 10 m up, most probably not locked. Trying to reclose it, the pilot released the stick several times, and the glider climbed high and slowed. The tug pilot released the cable to avoid an upset, leaving the glider low and slow, canopy still open. Turning left at about 80 m, the pilot lost control; the glider stalled and hit the ground nose-down, cable still attached. Investigators pointed to the probably unlocked canopy and low experience.

1. Solo aerotow, canopy opens: On a solo instructional aerotow, the canopy opened abruptly and fully about 10 m up at 120 km/h, most probably not locked before take-off.
2. Trying to reclose the canopy: The pilot tried to reclose the canopy, releasing the stick several times; the glider kept climbing in the runway axis.
3. High position, tug releases: The glider went into the high position and slowed; to avoid an upset the tug pilot released the cable, at about 40 m.
4. Low and slow, canopy open: Left low and slow with the canopy still unlocked, the glider reached about 75 m at 70 km/h, near its stall speed.
5. Left turn, loss of control: Turning left at about 80 m, the pilot lost control of the glider.
6. Stall into the ground: The glider stalled and hit the ground nose-down with the cable still attached; the pilot was seriously injured, the glider destroyed.