Fatal Towplane Accident 5-9-20

"How about banning all sideways/aft opening canopies from gliders? An unlocked canopy is a non-event in my LS6 with it's forward hinged canopy. Grobs? Deathtraps!"

The problem with a side opening canopy is the overwhelming temptation to save the club $6,000 by holding the canopy down. Unfortunately lack of a third hand can result in a glider write-off or worse. Left rudder can get you back a hand for operating the spoilers, but where is this taught?

With a rear opening canopy, it's gone and your only concern is making a survivable landing, with or without glasses.

Grobs are much less vulnerable to mislatching the canopy than L-33s as the housing to receive the pin is substantially thicker making the gap more obvious. L-33s need a feeler gauge to check if the canopy is actually closed.