What happened
On September 27, 2016, at approximately 16:40 local time, a training accident occurred at the Rybnik airfield (EPRG) during a winch-assisted paragliding session. The day had begun with theoretical instruction and ground maneuvers at the Gliwice airfield, after which the instructor and students moved to Rybnik for the practical flight portion of the course.
Following the establishment of a headwind launch configuration, the student's first flight was completed successfully without disconnecting from the tow line. For the second flight, the student intended to disconnect from the winch line. Due to a shift in wind direction, the launch position had been adjusted. Although the instructor performed standard harness checks and provided safety instructions via radio, the student requested that the harness check be repeated several times. The launch proceeded normally until the aircraft reached an altitude of approximately 6 meters, at which point the right side of the Dudek Paragliders Nemo XX25 wing collapsed, causing the student to crash onto the grass.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation focused on the sequence of events during the launch and the mechanical behavior of the wing. The investigators reviewed the procedures followed by the instructor, including the pre-flight harness inspections and the use of radio communication for in-flight guidance. The investigation also considered the atmospheric conditions, noting that the weather at the time of the accident did not contribute to the event.
Findings
- The student sustained serious injuries as a result of the impact.
- The primary cause of the accident was the sudden pulling and subsequent rapid release of the right brake.
- This action caused a dynamic unloading of the right side of the wing, leading to the uncontrolled collapse of the wing section.