What happened
On April 29, 2016, at approximately 20:02, a student paraglider was performing a second winch-assisted launch of the day near Lubień Kujawski. The weather conditions were favorable, with clear skies, 10 km visibility, and light winds between 0.5 and 1 m/s.
The initial stages of the launch, including the deployment and inflation of the wing, proceeded normally. However, when the aircraft reached an altitude of approximately 1.5 meters, the student pilot lifted her head to look up at the wing. This movement coincided with a slight decrease in flight altitude, causing the student's leg to catch on the ground. Despite this contact, the student did not signal for an aborted launch, and the winch tow continued.
The paraglider subsequently climbed to an altitude of 40 meters. After being released from the winch, the student performed a straight flight and landed into the wind. Following the flight, the student reported leg pain to the instructor. A medical examination the following day confirmed a sprained ankle joint, though it was noted that the injury may have occurred or been exacerbated during the landing phase.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of the launch and the pilot's actions during the critical initial climb. The inquiry examined the physical mechanics of the launch and the impact of the pilot's head movement on the aircraft's altitude.