Early reports on this accident indicated that the pilot had not turned
the transponder on because the installation had not been approved.
Anyone know which is true?

Andy

I was at the Minden airport at the time of the accident, and it is my
understanding that the transponder had not been certified. The glider
(an ASG 29, not an ASK 27) had recently been imported from Sweden
where it was used in the Worlds, and this was its maiden flight, at
least maiden for one of its two owners. Given the circumstances, it
makes sense that the transponder might not have been certified, but I
can't say for sure.

Matt