Summary
On 5 November 2016, at 13:45 local time, a serious incident occurred at Nowy Targ Airport (EPNT) involving a Husky A1A tow plane and a SZD-50-3 Puchacz glider. The flight was a training session for the glider pilot to learn towing in strong turbulence conditions, part of preparation for wave flights. The tow plane pilot began simulated turbulence maneuvers at an altitude above 300 m AGL, gradually increasing difficulty. Several minutes into the flight, at approximately 350 m AGL, the tow rope detached. The rope wrapped around the glider's right wing and horizontal stabilizer. The glider crew executed a calm approach and landed safely back at the airport. No injuries occurred, and neither aircraft sustained damage.
Cause
The investigation found that the tow rope had not broken; rather, the knot securing it to the winch in the tow plane had come undone. The probable cause was an incorrect attachment of the tow rope to the winch, which led to its separation during the simulated strong turbulence.
Contributing Factors
Due to difficult access to the winch, the tow pilot had not inspected the rope attachment before the flight. The report noted that for turbulence simulation flights, proper attachment should be verified beforehand. The training program recommended starting such maneuvers at least 500 m AGL, but the incident occurred at 350 m.
Preventive Measures
Following the incident, the Aeroklub Nowy Targ flight safety team recommended that the tow rope attachment to the winch be checked before each flying day. Subsequently, a fixed tow hook was installed under the tail of the tow plane to facilitate inspection and replacement of the rope.
Conclusion
The incident highlights the importance of thorough pre-flight checks, especially for high-stress maneuvers like turbulence simulation. Proper rope attachment is critical to ensure safety during towing operations.